Elastofibroma dorsi – differential diagnosis in chest wall tumours

BACKGROUND: Elastofibromas are benign soft tissue tumours mostly of the infrascapular region between the thoracic wall, the serratus anterior and the latissimus dorsi muscle with a prevalence of up to 24% in the elderly. The pathogenesis of the lesion is still unclear, but repetitive microtrauma by friction between the scapula and the thoracic wall may cause the reactive hyperproliferation of fibroelastic tissue. METHODS: We present a series of seven cases with elastofibroma dorsi with reference to clinical findings, further clinical course and functional results after resection, as well as recurrence. Data were obtained retrospectively by clinical examination, phone calls to the patients' general practitioners and charts review. Follow-up time ranged from four months to nine years and averaged 53 months. RESULTS: The patients presented with swelling of the infrascapular region or snapping scapula. In three cases, the lesion was painful. The ratio men/women was 2/5 with a mean age of 64 years. The tumor sizes ranged from 3 to 13 cm. The typical macroscopic aspect was characterized as poorly defined fibroelastic soft tissue lesion with a white and yellow cut surface caused by intermingled remnants of fatty tissue. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of broad collagenous strands and densely packed enlarged and fragmented elastic fibres with mostly round shapes. In all patients but one, postoperative seroma (which had to be punctuated) occurred after resection; however, at follow-up time, no patient reported any decrease of function or sensation at the shoulder or the arm of the operated side. None of the patients experienced a relapse. CONCLUSION: In differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors located at this specific site, elastofibroma should be considered as likely diagnosis. Due to its benign behaviour, the tumor should be resected only in symptomatic patients

Fine needle aspiration cytology of vaginal cuff lesions

To assess the usefulness of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the vaginal cuff in various lesions in the female genital tract. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-six FNAs of vaginal cuff lesions were performed at our institution from 1994 to 1998. All cases were reviewed. Data on clinical histories and follow-up, if available, were collected. Histologic material was reviewed. Fourteen gynecologic (cervico-vaginal) smears performed on these patients within six months prior to the FNA were also reviewed. RESULTS: Two of twenty-six (7.7%) FNAs were nondiagnostic due to poor cellular yield. Four lesions were classified as benign (16.7%). The remaining 20 FNAs were classified as malignant (83%) and were consistent with the clinical history in all cases. CONCLUSION: The results show that FNA of the vaginal cuff appears to be a simple and accurate procedure for detecting benign and malignant lesions of the female genitourinary tract. Clinical indications, cytologic techniques and potential pitfalls are identical to those of FNAs at other sites

Comparison of Capacity Fade for the Constant Current and WLTC Drive Cycle Discharge Modes for Commercial LiFeYPO4 Cells Used in xEV Vehicles

In this paper, capacity fade of LiFeYPO4/graphite commercial cells during 116 cycles under different temperatures is studied. The cells were discharged in two modes, during Drive Cycle (DrC) discharge cycles the cell was discharged with current waveform calculated for example battery electric vehicle (BEV) under WLTC 3b drive cycle conditions, whereas during Constant Current (CC) discharge cycles the cell was discharged with a constant current of the same root mean square of the current, as the WLTC 3b current waveform and with the same depth of discharge. All the cells were charged in constant current/constant voltage mode. Two fresh cells were used for each discharge mode at 25 °C and as the results were similar, only one cell per discharge mode was used at the other temperatures 5 °C and 45 °C. Furthermore, simulation P2D model of calendar and cycle life was calibrated based on experimental data. SoC floating was observed during cycling for both discharge modes, accompanied with slight increase in end discharge voltage and growth of energy efficiency. Concluding the results for 25 °C, not waveform character, but the amount of electric charge in combination with calendar aging has the most effect on the cycle life, which is also proved by the simulation. For 5 °C, the capacity fade is milder for DrC discharge cycles, but simulation results do not prove that, which would demand further investigation. The results for 45 °C are apparently dependent on a higher amount of discharged and charged electric charge and influenced by calendar life, simulated capacity fade corresponds quite well to the experiment. The best State of Health (SoH) simulation results are for temperature 45 °C, RMSE is 0.10% SoH, for the other temperatures RMSE is 0.20 and 0.93% SoH for 25 and 5 °C, respectively

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of pilomatrixoma: Still a diagnostic trap for the unwary

Of the 16 cases of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of pilomatrixomas reported since 1982, only 25% were correctly diagnosed prior to excision. The most common pitfall encountered was a false-positive or suspicious diagnosis of a carcinoma. All the reported cases had a polymorphous cellular and noncellular composition on low-power examination, including numerous basaloid cells, ghost cells, squamoid cells, foreign body giant cells, mixed inflammatory cells, keratin clumps, and granular debris which might be easily mistaken for a malignant necrotic background. Amongst these, ghost cells were the critical pathognomonic feature. This paper reported a further finding that had been under-emphasized in the literature: masses of refractile orangeophilic keratin clumps representing compact sheets and stacks of ghost cells. Their presence should alert the observer to search for the more diagnostic dispersed forms which otherwise might be inconspicuous and easily overlooked.link_to_subscribed_fulltex