Fibrous Wall Research Articles

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma in a female patient: A case report.

IntroductionPrimary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma is an extremely uncommon tumor occurring mostly in females. The histogenesis of PRMC remains unclear and Open surgery is the most impressive treatment.Case presentationWe present a 20-year-old Iranian woman with history of intermittent abdominal pain. In physical examination, her abdomen had a mildly asymmetrical distention and a round shape mass was palpated in right abdomen also she had a mild tenderness in right abdomen. Radiologic assessment revealed a right retroperitoneal smooth cystic mass (20 × 15 cm) without invasive features. The patient underwent complete surgical excision of the tumor by a laparotomic approach because of its size. The lesion was gently dissected from the contiguous organs and removed completely without spillage of its content. In microscopic investigations, sections showed a unilocular cyst with fibrous wall lined via monolayered bland looking columnar mucinous epithelium and no atypia or stromal invasion was presented. Diagnosis of a PRMC was made. The patient has discharged without any complications in 2 days' postoperative course.DiscussionGenerally, cysts are asymptomatic and are found fortuitously after a routine checkup assessment. Symptoms and signs related to this cyst are mainly because of their huge size and compression effect. Radiological assessments are effective in specifying the lesion preoperatively; although, the final diagnosis always needs histopathological verification.ConclusionWhen the tumor is diagnosed, full resection should be considered because of the infectious or malignant potential of the tumor.

All-Ceramic and Elastic Aerogels with Nanofibrous-Granular Binary Synergistic Structure for Thermal Superinsulation.

High-performance thermally insulating ceramic materials with robust mechanical properties, high-temperature resistance, and excellent thermal insulation characteristics are highly desirable for thermal management systems under extreme conditions. However, the large-scale application of traditional ceramic granular aerogels is still limited by their brittleness and stiff nature, while ceramic fibrous aerogels often display high thermal conductivity. To meet the above requirements, in this study, ceramic nanofibrous-granular composite aerogels with lamellar multiarch cellular structure and leaf-like fibrous-granular binary networks are designed and fabricated. The resulting composite aerogels possess ultralow weight, superelasticity with recoverable compression strain up to 80%, and large mechanical strength. Furthermore, excellent fatigue resistance with 1.2% plastic deformation after 1000 cyclic compressions, temperature-invariant dynamic mechanical stability from -100 to 500 °C, and an operational temperature range from -196 to 1100 °C are successfully achieved in the proposed composites. The nanosized silica granular aerogels are assembled into a leaf-like shape and wrapped around the fibrous cell walls, endowing low thermal conductivity (0.024 W m-1 K-1) as well as favorable high-temperature thermal superinsulation properties. Benefiting from the favorable compatibility, the present strategy for nanofiber-granular composite ceramic aerogels provides a dominant route to produce thermally insulated and mechanically robust composite cellular materials for use in harsh environments.

Mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm caused by Borrelia afzelii: a case report

BackgroundInflammatory aneurysms and mycotic aneurysms make up a minority of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Mainly autoimmune mechanisms are proposed in the pathogenesis of inflammatory aneurysms, and it is not routine to check for infectious agents as disease culprits.Case presentationA 58-year-old European male with complaints of abdominal and back pain for 8 weeks was admitted after a semi-urgent computed tomography scan revealed an 85 mm inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient had normal vital signs, slightly elevated inflammatory markers, and mild anemia on admission. Clinical examination revealed a tender pulsating mass in his abdomen. His clinical condition was interpreted as impending rupture and urgent repair of the aneurysm was deemed necessary. Due to the patient’s relatively young age and aneurysm neck morphology, open aortic repair was preferred. Preoperatively, the aneurysm appeared inflamed, with fibrous wall thickening and perianeurysmal adhesions. Aneurysm wall biopsies were sent to histopathological and microbiological diagnostics. Routine cultures were negative, but 16S rRNA gene real-time polymerase chain reaction was positive and Borrelia afzelii was identified by DNA sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction product. B. afzelii was also identified by sequencing the polymerase chain reaction product of a Borrelia-specific groEL target. Immunoglobulin G and M anti-Borrelia antibodies were present on serological analysis. Histopathological analysis displayed loss of normal aortic wall structure and diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged after 1 week to a regional rehabilitation facility. Though the patient fares clinically well and inflammatory markers had normalized, antimicrobial treatment with doxycycline continues at 3 months follow-up due to remaining radiologic signs of inflammation.ConclusionsBorrelia infection in the setting of acute aortic pathology is a rare entity. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to demonstrate a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm as a rare manifestation of Lyme disease. Aortic wall biopsies and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the specimen were essential for accurate diagnosis. This finding may contribute to the understanding of the etiology of inflammatory aneurysmal disease and abdominal aneurysms in general.

Axonal polyneuropathy as initial presentation of lupus in a 15-year-old male teenager “Case report”

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune systemic disease, of the connectivitis group. This condition particularly affects young women between the ages of 20 and 40. Several systems are affected during the disease including the nervous system where central damage is more described than peripheral damage. We report here the case of a 15 year old male teenager with systemic lupus erythematosus whose initial clinical manifestation was acute inflammatory axonal polyneuropathy. This diagnosis was made on the basis of allodynia predominantly in gloves and socks with clinical examination of bilateral peripheral neurogenic syndrome predominant in both lower limbs all associated with fever. The electroneuromyogram showed signs of sensory and motor impairment (more marked in sensory) of the axonal type in both lower limbs, compatible with polyneuropathy. The patient developed several skin lesions such as erythematous and scaly patches on the extremities, and purpuric macules of the palms of hands. All the antibodies tested in the blood came back positive and the skin biopsy described a proliferation of vascular capillaries with a fibrous and myxoid wall, dissociated by inflammatory cells, suggesting inflammatory involvement. Under treatment with hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids, the patient presented a marked improvement in the general condition as well as on the functional level with regression of sensory and motor disorders.

Biodegradation behaviour of green composite sandwich made of flax and agglomerated cork

Material experts are striving to use natural resources as skin and core in composite sandwiches to achieve light weight, biodegradability, and cost benefits. This paper reports one such newly developed green composite sandwich and its biodegradable behavior. The skin and core of newly developed sandwich are flax fiber and agglomerated cork respectively. This composite sandwich is manufactured by vacuum bagging technique in order to get higher volume fraction of fiber. The biodegradability testing of the composite sandwich has been executed by soil burial test. The verification of the same has been done using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and Thermoanalytical test. The test results portray the percentage of weight loss in the specimens and that, it increases with burial time. It also depicts that the newly developed Green Composite Sandwich (GCS) has 82% higher degradation than the Synthetic Composite Sandwich (SCS) taken for the comparison. SEM images show that the green composite sandwiches have lost their fibrous structure and cell wall surface due to the degradation. FTIR and Thermoanalytical tests also confirm the biodegradability of the developed green composite sandwich.

Multicomponent material property characterization of atherosclerotic human carotid arteries through a Bayesian Optimization based inverse finite element approach

ObjectivePlaque rupture in atherosclerotic carotid arteries is a main cause of ischemic stroke and it is correlated with high plaque stresses. Hence, analyzing stress patterns is essential for plaque specific rupture risk assessment. However, the critical information of the multicomponent material properties of atherosclerotic carotid arteries is still lacking greatly. This work aims to characterize component-wise material properties of atherosclerotic human carotid arteries under (almost) physiological loading conditions. MethodsAn inverse finite element modeling (iFEM) framework was developed to characterize fibrous intima and vessel wall material properties of 13 cross sections from five carotids. The novel pipeline comprised ex-vivo inflation testing, pre-clinical high frequency ultrasound for deriving plaque deformations, pre-clinical high-magnetic field magnetic resonance imaging, finite element modeling, and a sample efficient machine learning based Bayesian Optimization. ResultsThe nonlinear Yeoh constants for the fibrous intima and wall layers were successfully obtained. The optimization scheme of the iFEM reached the global minimum with a mean error of 3.8% in 133 iterations on average. The uniqueness of the results were confirmed with the inverted Gaussian Process (GP) model trained during the iFEM protocol. ConclusionThe developed iFEM approach combined with the inverted GP model successfully predicted component-wise material properties of intact atherosclerotic human carotids ex-vivo under physiological-like loading conditions. SignificanceWe developed a novel iFEM framework for the nonlinear, component-wise material characterization of atherosclerotic arteries and utilized it to obtain human atherosclerotic carotid material properties. The developed iFEM framework has great potential to be advanced for patient-specific in-vivo application.

S1620 A Symptomatic Posterior Mediastinal Space Pseudocyst Managed by Cystgastrostomy Through a Hiatal Hernia

Introduction: Pseudocysts are seen after acute pancreatitis (AP) and consist of collections of pancreatic secretions surrounded by a fibrous wall. Mediastinal extension of pseudocysts is a rare complication of AP. Here we describe the unique case of a large pseudocyst that extended along a hiatal hernia sac resulting in chest pain and dysphagia, requiring cystgastrostomy in the posterior mediastinal space. Case Description/Methods: A 64-year-old female with a history of a large hiatal hernia (HH) presented to the emergency room (ER) with gradual onset retrosternal pain and associated dysphagia of 1 week duration. She had a recent hospitalization for AP two months earlier. In the ER, vital signs were within normal limits. Cardiac evaluation, complete blood count, and comprehensive metabolic panel were unremarkable. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a 7 x 6.2 cm peripancreatic fluid collection extending through the diaphragm in the posterior mediastinal space, resulting in mass effect on the distal esophagus and HH sac (Figure 1A-C). Upper endoscopy revealed extrinsic-appearing narrowing in the distal esophagus immediately proximal to a 5 cm Hill grade IV HH. Endosonography (EUS) guided cystgastrostomy was successfully performed using a 10 mm x 10 mm electrocautery enhanced lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS). Post-procedure the patient reported symptomatic relief and was admitted for overnight observation. Repeat cross sectional imaging revealed significant reduction in the size of the pseudocyst (Figure 1D). EUS two weeks later revealed complete pseudocyst resolution and the LAMS was removed. Discussion: Mediastinal extension of a pseudocyst is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. In prior reports, mediastinal pseudocysts have been managed by endoscopic aspiration, placement of plastic stents, or surgical drainage. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a cystgastrostomy performed through a hiatal hernia to drain a pseudocyst in the posterior mediastinum.Figure 1.: Axial (A) and coronal (B and C) views of the CT scan revealed a large pseudocyst extending into the posterior mediastinal space. The sagittal view (D) showed the lumen-apposing metal stent draining the pseudocyst into the hiatal hernia sac.

Management of patient with a ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst at Ndola Teaching Hospital, Zambia: Case report and literature review

A pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) is a localized collection of pancreatic juice in pancreatic tissue or peripancreatic space reach, in amylase and other enzymes, surrounded by a cyst wall composed of fibrous wall or granulation tissue, and a cyst wall lacking epithelium. A PP develops after acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct. PP commonly presents with symptoms of abdominal pain, early satiety, nausea and vomiting in the setting of an abdominal mass. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory tests (persistent high levels of amylase) and on imaging by abdominal ultrasound or computer tomography (CT) scan of a persistent pancreatic fluid collection present for at least 4 weeks. Pseudocysts cannot be removed until 6 weeks after an episode of pancreatitis, to allow the walls to thicken to at least 6mm and the pseudocyst to grow to at least 6cm in size; however, pseudocyst formation is difficult to date. We present a patient who had a ruptured PP and therefore underwent emergency laparotomy. The cyst wall was immature and therefore a cystenterostomy was not possible. PP excision was chosen because the PP was already ruptured and had dense immature cyst-bowel adhesions, a thin wall and absence of abnormality of pancreatic main duct; in addition, expertise was available. Our patient recovered well without complications in the 90-day follow-up and was subsequently discharged.

Management of patient with a ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst at Ndola Teaching Hospital, Zambia: Case report and literature review

A pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) is a localized collection of pancreatic juice in pancreatic tissue or peripancreatic space reach, in amylase and other enzymes, surrounded by a cyst wall composed of fibrous wall or granulation tissue, and a cyst wall lacking epithelium. A PP develops after acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct.PP commonly presents with symptoms of abdominal pain, early satiety, nausea and vomiting in the setting of an abdominal mass. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory tests (persistent high levels of amylase) and on imaging by abdominal ultrasound or computer tomography (CT) scan of a persistent pancreatic fluid collection present for at least 4 weeks. Pseudocysts cannot be removed until 6 weeks after an episode of pancreatitis, to allow the walls to thicken to at least 6mm and the pseudocyst to grow to at least 6cm in size; however, pseudocyst formation is difficult to date. We present a patient who had a ruptured PPand therefore underwent emergency laparotomy. The cyst wall was immature and therefore a cystenterostomy was not possible. PP excision was chosen because the PPwas already ruptured and had dense immature cyst-bowel adhesions, a thin wall and absence of abnormality of pancreatic main duct; in addition, expertise was available. Our patient recovered well without complications in the 90-day follow-up and was subsequently discharged.

Surgical ciliated cyst of the maxilla: Report of two cases

AbstractAimsSurgical ciliated cyst of the maxilla is a rare lesion that can develop as a delayed complication of surgical procedures involving the maxillary‐malar complex. We report two new cases of surgical ciliated cyst of the maxilla.Material and MethodsThis is a report of two cases of surgical ciliated cyst of maxilla that occurred 10 and 12 years after trauma and orthognathic surgeries, respectively, being the last a recurrent lesion. Both patients complained of a unilateral painful swelling in the face and had, on the computed tomography images, a well‐circumscribed unilocular hypodense lesion in the maxillary sinus. In the first case, there was a communication with the orbit floor and fenestration of the anterior wall of the maxilla.ResultsThe histopathological examination of both lesions showed cysts lined by a ciliated cylindrical pseudostratified epithelium and stratified squamous epithelium. The first lesion also presented areas of cubic epithelium and some mucous cells. The fibrous wall of the cysts showed chronic inflammatory infiltrate and hyaline acellular areas. The cysts were enucleated and there is no evidence of recurrence after one year (first case) and three years (second case) of follow‐up.ConclusionDespite the low prevalence of the surgical ciliated cyst, surgeons, clinicians and pathologists must be aware of this lesion and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of maxillary cysts in patients with a previous local surgery.

CYSTIC LYMPHANGIOMA A CASE REPORT

Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas is a rare benign vascular tumor. Its histogenesis is still hypothetical and its preoperative diagnosis difficult to establish. We report a case in a 26-year-old boy who presented with abdominal pain with the notion of a constipation-type transit disorder. Radiological investigations showed an intraperitoneal mesenteric cystic tumor. A complete resection of the mass was performed. Pathological examination of the operative specimen confirmed the presence of cystic formations, the wall of no need keep it.to the end which was lined by a squamous, endothelial epithelium with a fibrous wall dotted with a few lymphoid clusters in favor of cystic lymphangioma.

Clinical application of negative-pressure wound therapy in uncomplicated cardiac pacemaker pocket infection

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the treatment of uncomplicated cardiac pacemaker pocket infection. Methods: From January 2013 to March 2020, 35 patients with uncomplicated cardiac pacemaker pocket infection were admitted to the Department of Cardiology of Peking University First Hospital, including 21 males and 14 females, aged 27 to 84 years. The retrospective cohort study was conducted. After a complete debridement followed by continuous NPWT (with negative pressure of -16.67 kPa), the pulse-generator was inserted into the new pocket between the musculus pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. Pressure drainage tube was put into the old pocket space. NPWT with the same mode was used again for 5 to 7 days after the wound was closed. The removed pocket tissue of patients was observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining. The wound healing on 10 to 12 days after the operation of pacemaker replacement was observed, and the recurrence of infection was observed during 6 to 42 months follow-up after operation. Results: The fibrous sac wall was observed in pocket tissue of the patients, and the tissue was partially covered with stratified epithelium, with many chronic inflammatory cells infiltration. Multinucleated giant cell reaction was observed in the tissue of some patients. Ten to twelve days after the operation of pacemaker replacement, 35 patients had good wound healing, and sutures were removed. After 6 to 42 months follow-up after operation, 31 patients were cured with no recurrence of infection and the wounds were well-healed; 4 patients who had recurrent infection received whole system of pacemaker removal after the operation. Conclusions: On the premise of complete debridement, NPWT is an alternative treatment for patients with uncomplicated cardiac pacemaker pocket infection.

Axonal Polyneuropathy as Initial Presentation of Lupus in a 15-year-old Male Teenager “Case Report”

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune systemic disease, of the connectivitis group. This condition particularly affects young women between the ages of 20 and 40. Several systems are affected during the disease including the nervous system where central damage is more described than peripheral damage. We report here the case of a 15 year old male teenager with systemic lupus erythematosus whose initial clinical manifestation was acute inflammatory axonal polyneuropathy. This diagnosis was made on the basis of allodynia predominantly in gloves and socks with clinical examination of bilateral peripheral neurogenic syndrome predominant in both lower limbs all associated with fever. The electroneuromyogram showed signs of sensory and motor impairment (more marked in sensory) of the axonal type in both lower limbs, compatible with polyneuropathy. The patient developed several skin lesions such as erythematous and scaly patches on the extremities, and purpuric macules of the palms of hands. All the antibodies tested in the blood came back positive and the skin biopsy described a proliferation of vascular capillaries with a fibrous and myxoid wall, dissociated by inflammatory cells, suggesting inflammatory involvement. Under treatment with hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids, the patient presented a marked improvement in the general condition as well as on the functional level with regression of sensory and motor disorders.

Large Benign Non Parasitic Hepatic Cyst: A Case Report

Large none parasitic hepatic cysts are an uncommon disease entity and often evade the clinical eye because majority will present with non-specific symptoms until the cyst is large enough to cause compressive symptoms. Patients will most often present with vague abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, jaundice with compression of the biliary ducts, or portal hypertension secondary to compression of the portal vein. This is a case of 63 year old male, known case of hepatic cyst presenting with vague abdominal pain. Patient was then advised to undergo surgery due to progressive enlargement of the hepatic cyst with the latest dimensions measuring 114 x 180 x 210 mm hence patient was admitted. Patient was scheduled for laparoscopic cystectomy and intraoperative findings were noted to include a large hepatic cyst containing approximately 3 liters serous fluid, completely replacing segment IVA, IVB and V with the cyst capsule noted to be adherent to the gallbladder wall. Patient underwent Laparoscopic resection of segment IVA,IVB and V, cholecystectomy and intraoperative cholangiogram. Histopath results revealed a simple biliary cyst with a fibrous cyst wall measuring 24.2 x 8.0 x 0.2 cm with 6 cystic tissues measuring from 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3cm to 1.2x 1.6 x 0.6cm. Gallbladder was noted to have no pathologic changes. Patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged 2 days after with unremarkable post-operative course.

New method for the treatment of cavernous prostate tuberculosis

Prostate tuberculosis (PT) is not uncommon, but rarely diagnosed. Treatment of PT is a difficult task, since it is difficult to achieve an adequate concentration of antibacterial drugs in the parenchyma of even a healthy organ, and in the case of the formation of prostate caverns, their fibrous walls almost completely prevent the penetration of anti-tuberculosis drugs into the destruction focus. The method of combined surgical treatment of PT is described in detail on the example of the patient. During polychemotherapy, the cavity is opened by means of transurethral electroresection, followed by coagulation of the cavity wall by radiation of a high-energy diode laser with a wavelength of 940 nm and a power of 150 W. This approach allows to cleanse the prostate cavity from purulent-necrotic detritus and interrupt the pathological infectious and inflammatory process in its wall due to coagulation with laser radiation. The proposed method of surgical treatment of PT is both radical, since the walls of the cavities are excised and coagulated, and is minimally invasive, therefore it can be recommended for wider application.

Large Solitary Luteinized Follicle Cyst of Pregnancy and Puerperium: a Rare Post-partum Clinical Presentation

Abstract Introduction/Objective In literature, all large solitary luteinized follicular cysts of pregnancy and puerperium (LSLFCPP) recognized were removed before or during delivery. This would be the first case in literature describing the clinical behavior of the LSLFCPP in the post-partum period. Methods We herein report a rare case of 21-year-old G2P2 female who underwent a full-term uneventful spontaneous vaginal delivery (39w0d, APGARS 9,9) without removal of the undiagnosed LSLFCPP, which nearly doubled in size post-partum. Her past medical history was significant for treated syphilis and normal Pap Test of the cervix. Three months after delivery, the patient presented with LSLFCPP exhibiting mass effect (retroverted uterus, mild right-sided obstructive uropathy, compressed bladder and intermittent pain). The antepartum ultrasound showed 14 cm pelvic mass that had grown to 30 cm on CT scan, in largest dimension. Beta-hCG levels returned to pre- pregnancy levels. Treponema pallidum antibody, FTA-ABS and RPR were reactive. Alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin B, CA- 125, CEA, and CA 19-9 screen were unremarkable. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy cyst removal with right salpingo-oophorectomy. Results Grossly, the tumor weighed 22 lbs with a diameter of 28 cm; excrescences were not noted. Intraoperative consultation revealed a unilocular benign cyst. Histologically, the cyst was not only lined by luteinized cells but nests of luteinized cells infiltrated the fibrous wall. These cells were positive for Inhibin A and calretinin. A rare mitotic figure was noted. A diagnosis of LSLFCPP was rendered. Conclusion High levels of gonadotropin in pregnancy are implicated in the pathogenesis of LSLFCPP; however, in our case, the cyst doubled in size three months after delivery with undetectable beta-hCG levels. This indicates that the pathogenesis of this cyst relies on more than beta-hCG stimulation. LSLFCPP is important to recognize because it can mimic a malignant proliferation on frozen section and can potentially compromise fetal viability with mass effect.

UNICYSTIC AMELOBLASTOMA: MURAL SUBTYPE

Unicystic ameloblastoma has 3 histologic variants. Mural subtype is the most aggressive. Histopathological examination shows fibrous wall cyst infiltration, forming conjunctive tissue islands, making possible the lesion return. The objective is to report the case of a 22-year-old patient with left hemiface lower third swelling for about 2 years. Facial asymmetry was observed, with vestibular filling, mobility in element 36; unilocular and circumscribed radiolucid image, with abroad of 5 cm in its greater diameter and with 38 tooth involved, covering body until mandibular ramus. In the incisional biopsy, decompression device was installed and performed for 4 months. In view of the high recurrence rate of this histologic subtype and the ineffectiveness of the instituted decompression, was chosen for the segmentary recession and osteosynthesis with reconstruction plate, to maintain the stomatognathic functions and space for future bone reconstruction. The patient is in the 12th month of observation without recurrence.

The Myth of May Thurner

AbstractLess invasive contemporary endovenous techniques with improved stents have made treatment of the May Thurner Syndrome(MTS) more accessible and safer. However, clear criteria for the accurate diagnosis remain obscure. All imaging modalities are performed with patients in a supine position were compression of the left Common Iliac Vein is seen in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. There is no clear threshold value. There are no validated hemodynamic criteria. This leads to the necessity of additional information such as measurements performed in an upright position as well as greater scrutiny in detecting fibrous wall thickening and spurs as well as identifying the presence of venous collaterals. Moreover, those contemplating treating MTS should not only identify specific symptoms, but also should consider that patient complaints may be related to a more complex presentation of pelvic congestion.

Cystic Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Pictorial Review and a Practical Guide for the Radiologist.

A cyst is a round circumscribed area of low attenuation, surrounded by epithelial or fibrous wall. Cysts can frequently occur on chest computed tomography (CT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT); multiple parenchymal cysts of the lungs are the most typical feature of cystic lung interstitial diseases, characterizing a wide spectrum of diseases—ranging from isolated lung disorders up to diffuse pulmonary diseases. The aim of this review is to analyze scientific literature about cystic lung interstitial diseases and to provide a practical guide for radiologists, focusing on the main morphological features of pulmonary cysts: size, shape, borders, wall, location, and distribution. These features are shown on free-hand drawings and related to HRCT images, in order to help radiologists pursue the correct differential diagnosis between similar conditions.

Properties of common tropical hardwoods for fretboard of string instruments

Fretboards of string instruments are usually made of rare woods that commonly have a high density, strength, and hardness; further, they are wear resistant, uniform in texture, and feature an elegant color. To reduce the consumption of scarce timber resources, especially of endangered tropical hardwood species, suitable replacement materials should be identified. The substitute can be either common tree species having similar characteristics, or fast-growing plantation wood that has undergone modifications to match the performance of precious woods. This study compares the anatomical structure, physical features, mechanical properties, and surface color of three precious woods traditionally used in fretboards (ebony, Indian rosewood, and African blackwood) against maple, which is used for the backboard, ribs, and necks of string instruments. Based on the data, a set of performance evaluation indices for selecting alternative materials for fretboards is proposed. In specific, the replacement wood should be a diffuse-porous tropical hardwood with few vessels and a smaller diameter, thick fibrous walls, and a cell wall rate of more than 50%. In terms of physical properties, it should have low swelling coefficients for moisture and water absorption, and dimensional stability. The replacement should also display hardness values greater than 9.0 kN in the cross-section and greater than 6.0 kN in the tangential and radial sections. Further, it should have a high modulus of rupture (> 149 MPa) and elasticity (> 14.08 GPa), good impact bending strength, and good wear resistance (80–150 mg/100 r). To satisfy the traditional aesthetics, the wood surface color should be black, dark brown, or dark purple-brown, with colorimetric parameters in the range of 0.0 < L* < 30.0, 0.0 < b* < 6.0, and an a* value as small as possible. The evaluation indicators used for searching potential high-quality alternative tree species are not the same as those for replacing traditional fretboard materials using modified fast-growing plantation wood. The physical and mechanical properties and the surface color of traditional precious fretboard wood are important evaluation indicators for whether the modified fast-growing plantation wood can replace the traditional fretboard wood.