Dear Dr. Horton
We are submitting “Fractures of the Odontoid Process and their surgical aproaches” to The Lancet Neurology because is the leading specialist neurology journal in the world with the highest impact factor. The authors are Juan E. Vásquez, MD, Franco Ravera, MD and Chief Department and Carlos Wilson, MD, all members of the Neurosurgical Department of the Rancagua Regional Hospital. Our study was performed to deliver a powerful guide of the different therapeutical options for this upper cervical fracture.
Although is a retrospective study we have an exceptional high number of cases (ten years follow up, 97 cases), low rates of complications and an excellent surgical output.
As it was mentioned previously this study provides the most clear therapeutic guide ever and it will enhance the surgical outcomes of the different neurosurgical departments.
Finally, the article has not been submitted for publication nor has it been published in whole or in part elsewhere and that there is no conflict of interests.
Sincerely,
Juan Enrique Vásquez, MD
Student of the Neurosurgical internship program, University of Chile
Correspondance to: JE Vásquez j.e.vasquez@uchile.cl
Hello Juan Enrique,
ResponderEliminarHere are some suggestions to improve your letter:
1. I don´t think the following sentence is appropriate "because is the leading specialist neurology journal in the world with the highest impact factor". The editors know this.
2. Instead you may say "....The Lancet Neurology" for possible consideration of publication.
3. The following paragraph needs rewriting I think. The use of the word "powerful" is not appropriate I think in the context of a covering letter. Can you think of another word? Deliver or provide? A guide or guidelines? "this upper cervical fracture" change "this" by "the".
4. Although sounds like there is a problem...I suggest "This study provides longitudinal evidence of 97 cases followed up during 10 years, with low rate of complications and excellent surgical output". I would join this paragraph with next and say"...output. It may serve as a guideline to enhance surgical outcomes at the different neurosurgical departments".
5. Separate the next pargraph into two sentences by adding a comma after "elsewhere". ....elsewhere, and that there is no conflict of interests.
Hope these suggestions are helpful.
Best,
Claudia