-->PONE-D-26-05244-->-->Imaging of cervicothoracic junction anatomical variation in neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: a scoping review protocol-->-->PLOS One

Dear Dr. Beaumont,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

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For Lab, Study and Registered Report Protocols: These article types are not expected to include results but may include pilot data.

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Kind regards,

Priti Chaudhary, M.S.

Academic Editor

PLOS One

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

-->Comments to the Author

1. Does the manuscript provide a valid rationale for the proposed study, with clearly identified and justified research questions?

The research question outlined is expected to address a valid academic problem or topic and contribute to the base of knowledge in the field.-->

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Partly

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-->2. Is the protocol technically sound and planned in a manner that will lead to a meaningful outcome and allow testing the stated hypotheses?

The manuscript should describe the methods in sufficient detail to prevent undisclosed flexibility in the experimental procedure or analysis pipeline, including sufficient outcome-neutral conditions (e.g. necessary controls, absence of floor or ceiling effects) to test the proposed hypotheses and a statistical power analysis where applicable. As there may be aspects of the methodology and analysis which can only be refined once the work is undertaken, authors should outline potential assumptions and explicitly describe what aspects of the proposed analyses, if any, are exploratory.-->

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Partly

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-->3. Is the methodology feasible and described in sufficient detail to allow the work to be replicable?

Descriptions of methods and materials in the protocol should be reported in sufficient detail for another researcher to reproduce all experiments and analyses. The protocol should describe the appropriate controls, sample size calculations, and replication needed to ensure that the data are robust and reproducible.-->

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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-->4. Have the authors described where all data underlying the findings will be made available when the study is complete?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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-->6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above and, if applicable, provide comments about issues authors must address before this protocol can be accepted for publication. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about research or publication ethics.

You may also provide optional suggestions and comments to authors that they might find helpful in planning their study.

(Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)-->

Reviewer #1: Find below some comments that may improve the quality of the manuscripts

-The title could be made clearer to better reflect the intent of the review. Consider incorporating the phrase “Imaging Modalities/Approaches” to improve specificity.

-Lines 48 and 140 the term “Inclusion Criteria” should be revised to “Selection Criteria”, as both inclusion and exclusion criteria are described in this section.

-Line 180 Please clarify what is meant by “unpublished studies.” Does this include non–peer-reviewed studies? How does this differ from gray literature sources?

-Lines 181–190 The rationale for excluding PubMed is unclear. Please review the grammar and improve clarity. Additionally, consider expanding this section to clearly justify the choice of databases and search strategy.

Other thing you need to pay attention to

-What are the key anatomical structures at the cervicothoracic junction relevant to nTOS?

-Which imaging modalities are most appropriate for evaluating the cervicothoracic junction in nTOS?

-What are the strengths and limitations of each modality in detecting.

-Factor affecting imaging e.g. how does arm positioning (abduction, elevation) affect imaging findings?

-What is the role of dynamic imaging in diagnosing nTOS and are there standardized protocols for positional imaging?

-How are anatomical variations quantified or classified and How reproducible are imaging findings (interobserver reliability)?

Best regards

Reviewer #2: It is really hard work with so many data collections and analysis though I could not figure out how many papers you have studied and how many you have included.

To my concern I did not find a recommended protocol I concluded that you just listed the stepwise process you have followed to obtain your results.

I realized that it is the first one to be conducted in this area of research but the question here do you recommend you fellows to follow the same process you have followed if they conducted similar researches??!! Is your protocol a valid protocol??!!

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-->7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

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Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review?  For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.-->

Reviewer #1: Yes:  Dr Lawan Hassan Adamu

Reviewer #2: No

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Imaging of cervicothoracic junction anatomical variation in neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: a scoping review protocol

PONE-D-26-05244R1

Dear Dr. Hugo Oscar Hamilton Beaumont,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Priti Chaudhary, M.S.

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: