A model of wave scattering by a perturbed thin cylinder is constructed. The
model is based on the theory of self-adjoint operator extensions. A method
is found for choosing a model operator ensuring that the model solution is
identical to the leading term of the asymptotic expansion, in terms of the
small diameter of the cylinder, of the real scattering problem. (C) 1999 A
merican Institute of Physics. [S1063-7850(99)02303-4].