Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
Remnants of a 35-year-old ventriculo-atrial shunt presenting as orofacial pain
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, North Manchester General Hospital, Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, UK. geoff.chiu@pat.nhs.uk
Abstract:
A 36-year-old man presented to his general dental practitioner with pain in the right jaw and neck. This was initially treated as a dento-alveolar abscess. Three days later, he presented to the oral and maxillofacial unit with neck swelling to the right side. An ultrasound confirmed the swelling was due to thrombosis associated with remnants of a ventriculo-atrial (VA) shunt in the right internal jugular vein. This had been placed during the patient's infancy and apparently removed at the age of 8 years. The patient was treated conservatively with warfarin and Coamoxyclav. The patient made a full recovery and was placed on long-term anticoagulant therapy. The introduction of cerebral spinal fluid shunt procedures for the treatment of hydrocephalus has resulted in a reduction in the mortality rate from 80% to 15-20%. Various thrombo-embolic complications have been described with VA shunts. A thorough medical history is absolutely essential in order to identify uncommon causes of common presentations.
Related Concept Videos
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...

