Reviewer's report 
 Portal Vein Thrombosis; Risk factors, Clinical presentation and Treatment. Title: 
 1  12 March 2007 Version: Date: 
 Stephen Riordan Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This report concerning risk factors, clinical presentation and treatment of portal vein thrombosis based on a 
retrospective case series is timely in view of the increasing recognition of this disorder and current 
uncertainty as to its most appropriate management, particularly with regard to the role for anticoagulation. In 
keeping with other reports, the analysis points to several contributing factors in a substantial proportion of 
cases. Of major therapeutic relevance, the report adds support to the notion that anticoagulant therapy 
should be strongly considered, even in the setting of complicating varices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can be 
reached) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which the author 
can be trusted to correct) 
The data concerning risk factors for portal vein thrombosis at the top of page 8 are confusing and should be 
clarfied. Similarly, Tables 2, 3 and 4 should be re-labelled so as to clarify exactly what groups the sample 
sizes of 67 and 48 actually refer. 
The authors refer to statistical analyses being performed but no statistical values are listed in the text - this 
should be clarified. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I declare that I have no competing interests 
Reviewer's report 
 Portal Vein Thrombosis; Risk factors, Clinical presentation and Treatment. Title: 
 1  12 March 2007 Version: Date: 
 Stephen Riordan Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This report concerning risk factors, clinical presentation and treatment of portal vein thrombosis based on a 
retrospective case series is timely in view of the increasing recognition of this disorder and current 
uncertainty as to its most appropriate management, particularly with regard to the role for anticoagulation. In 
keeping with other reports, the analysis points to several contributing factors in a substantial proportion of 
cases. Of major therapeutic relevance, the report adds support to the notion that anticoagulant therapy 
should be strongly considered, even in the setting of complicating varices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can be 
reached) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which the author 
can be trusted to correct) 
The data concerning risk factors for portal vein thrombosis at the top of page 8 are confusing and should be 
clarfied. Similarly, Tables 2, 3 and 4 should be re-labelled so as to clarify exactly what groups the sample 
sizes of 67 and 48 actually refer. 
The authors refer to statistical analyses being performed but no statistical values are listed in the text - this 
should be clarified. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I declare that I have no competing interests 
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report 
 Portal Vein Thrombosis; Risk factors, Clinical presentation and Treatment. Title: 
 1  12 March 2007 Version: Date: 
 Stephen Riordan Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
General 
This report concerning risk factors, clinical presentation and treatment of portal vein thrombosis based on a 
retrospective case series is timely in view of the increasing recognition of this disorder and current 
uncertainty as to its most appropriate management, particularly with regard to the role for anticoagulation. In 
keeping with other reports, the analysis points to several contributing factors in a substantial proportion of 
cases. Of major therapeutic relevance, the report adds support to the notion that anticoagulant therapy 
should be strongly considered, even in the setting of complicating varices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Compulsory Revisions (that the author must respond to before a decision on publication can be 
reached) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Minor Essential Revisions (such as missing labels on figures, or the wrong use of a term, which the author 
can be trusted to correct) 
The data concerning risk factors for portal vein thrombosis at the top of page 8 are confusing and should be 
clarfied. Similarly, Tables 2, 3 and 4 should be re-labelled so as to clarify exactly what groups the sample 
sizes of 67 and 48 actually refer. 
The authors refer to statistical analyses being performed but no statistical values are listed in the text - this 
should be clarified. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Discretionary Revisions (which the author can choose to ignore) 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a statistician. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I declare that I have no competing interests 
assistant