Lateral view of barium esophagogram shows a large diverticulum (arrow) arising in the midline from the posterior wall of the cervical esophagus (arrowheads).
Facts:
- Most common form of esophageal diverticulum
- Protrusion of mucosa posteriorly just proximal to cricopharyngeus muscle
- Believed to be due to oropharyngeal discoordination and upper esophageal sphinctor dysfunction
- Many patients are asymptomatic, but can present with dysphagia, regurgitation, throat discomfort
- Usually in 5th to 8th decades of life
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Barium esophagogram is an optimal method to demonstrate the diverticulum
- Intradiverticular filling defects usually represent food, but carcinoma is in the differential diagnosis.
- Large diverticulum can present on chest radiograph as a superior mediastinal mass
- Endoscopy not required, but if it is to be done it should be done with caution because of a risk of inadvertent perforation
- Treatment: diverticulectomy with or without cricopharyngeal myotoma, endoscopic stapling and division of common wall between cervical esophagus and diverticulum
Reference:
Grendell JH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Gastroenterology, 2nd edition, 2003.
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