Extratesticular lesions are common incidental findings at ultrasonography (US) among men and boys. Most lesions originate from or depend on the tunica vaginalis, a mesothelium-lined sac with a visceral layer and a parietal layer. The tunica vaginalis is formed when the superior portion of the processus vaginalis closes during embryologic development. Abnormal closure of the processus vaginalis leads to congenital anomalies of the tunica vaginalis, such as complete or partial patency of the processus vaginalis, spermatic cord hydrocele, and inguinoscrotal hernia. The proximity of the visceral layer to the testis explains the reactive involvement seen in epididymo-orchitis, with resultant pyocele or abscess formation. The tunica vaginalis also may be affected by inflammatory and traumatic disorders such as scrotal calculi, fibrous pseudotumor, or hematocele. These lesions manifest as solid or heterogeneous tumorlike masses. Lesions of mesothelial origin, such as adenomatoid tumor, tunica cyst, and mesothelioma, may involve the tunica vaginalis. Entrapped mesenchymal cells can lead to lipoma, leiomyoma, or sarcoma, although these tumors are uncommon in the tunica vaginalis. US is not useful for differentiating between benign and malignant tumors; however, some characteristic findings may help in planning the best surgical approach. Knowledge of the embryologic development, anatomic relationships, and pathologic disorders of the tunica vaginalis is essential to narrow the differential diagnosis of an extratesticular lesion. In most cases, US findings in combination with clinical assessment can indicate whether nonsurgical management or testis-sparing surgery is warranted.
This paper uses individual apple-level data that include consumer sensory assessments and instrumental measurements of internal quality to analyze willingness to pay for Washington State Gala apples.Three distinct models are estimated: a model that includes destructive internal quality measures of apple characteristics, a model that utilizes only non-destructive internal quality measures, and a consumer model that includes subjective consumer sensory evaluations and consumer socio-demographic characteristics. The objective is to identify instrumental measures of internal quality that can be used to inform the apple industry of consumer preferences. The consumer model serves as a benchmark. Finally, we evaluate whether non-destructive measures of internal quality can substitute for destructive measures. We find that firmness and soluble solids content are significant and can be measured effectively using non-destructive measures. Implications of the findings for the apple industry in terms of marketing and possible "elite" standards for apples are discussed.
Le présent article utilise des données individuelles, notamment desévaluations sensorielles et des mesures instrumentales, pour analyser la volonté de payer des consommateurs pour des pommes Gala de l'État de Washington. Nous avons estimé trois modèles: un modèle comprenant des mesures instrumentales qui affectent la qualité interne des pommes; un modèle qui utilise des mesures instrumentales qui n'affectent pas la qualité interne; un modèle du consommateur qui comprend desévaluations sensorielles subjectives et des caractéristiques sociodémographiques. L'objectif consistaità identifier les mesures instrumentales qui pourraientêtre utilisées pour renseigner l'industrie pomicole sur lespréférences des consommateurs. Le modèle du consommateur a servi de point de référence. Finalement, nous avons examiné si les techniques non destructives de mesure de la qualité interne pouvaient ou non remplacer les techniques destructives. Nous avons trouvé que la fermeté et la teneur en solides solubles sont des caractéristiques importantes et qu'elles peuventêtre mesurées efficacement au moyen de techniques non destructives. Nous discutons des répercussions de ces résultats sur l'industrie pomicole sur le plan du marketing et de l'établissement possible de normes élite .
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