The Death of the European Agency for Reconstruction

Among many issues regarding the work and functioning of EU agencies, the termination of an agency is an important aspect to consider. The European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR), an EU agency that managed EU aid to the Western Balkans from 2001 to 2008, proved to be an efficient and effective agency in delivering aid. Although termination of any EU agency is a rare phenomenon, the EAR was terminated in 2008, despite its successful record. The termination of this highly successful agency stands as an example for the utility of putting termination theory into a larger framework of the existence of EU agencies, as scholarly literature has largely ignored the issue of termination in the work of the EU agencies. The EAR represented an institutional model of independence from politics and policy-making. The purpose of this paper is to assess the structure and operations of the EAR and reasons that led to its termination.

Undiagnosed Wilson’s disease masquerading as hemolytic anemia in pregnancy: a case report

Successful pregnancy is a rare phenomenon in women with Wilson’s disease. We report a case of a primigravid 19 -years old woman who presented with hemolytic anemia and was later diagnosed with Wilson’s disease for the first time during pregnancy. With prompt treatment, she delivered a healthy albeit pre-term child.

Breast metastasis of a lung carcinoma

Breast Metastasis is a rare phenomenon (0.2 to 1.3%)1 compared to primary breast lesions. Several neoplasms have been reported to metastasize to the breast such as melanoma, lymphoma and lung cancer. In this article we report a case of breast metastasis of lung cancer confirmed by biopsy and immunohistochemistry with CT and US imaging.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical Rib Fixation for Costochondral Separation Injury

Costochondral separation is a rare phenomenon following blunt thoracic trauma that can also be associated with secondary injuries. We present a case with complete costochondral separation of the right second rib with concomitant mediastinal compression. Definitive treatment was provided through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical plate osteosynthesis.

A Case Report of a Cecal Bascule with Internal Herniation through the Foramen of Winslow

Internal hernias are a rare phenomenon, and even rarer is a herniation through the foramen of Winslow. We report a rare case of an 81 year old female presenting with vague abdominal symptoms who was found to have a cecal bascule herniating through the foramen of Winslow treated with surgery.

A case of intradural lumbar disc herniation

Lumbar disc herniation into the dural space is a rare phenomenon of degenerative lumbar disc disease and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Intraoperative ultrasonography and histopathological examination of resected specimen aids in diagnosis of intradural disc herniation.Prompt surgery is recommended as postoperative outcome of the patient at our setting was favourable.

Beating pulmonary vein sign during catheter ablation

The beating of a pulmonary vein during cardiac catheterization is a rare phenomenon caused by the heart beating through the pericardial effusion when a cardiac tamponade occurs. This “beating pulmonary vein” sign is useful for early detection of a tamponade before circulatory collapse occurs.