Zenker's
diverticulum is a small outpouching of the wall of the
throat. It develops at the junction of the throat and
the esophagus (the food pipe).
Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and regurgitation of food, which tends to develop very slowly over years. Patients are usually middle aged or elderly.
Initially, symptoms are vague and include difficulty swallowing. As the pouch enlarges, patients often develop a cough, Bad Breath, and vomit up undigested food.
Some patients may even notice a bulge in the throat, or have repeated Pneumonia infections.
It is generally felt that this disease is due to the loss of the elasticity of the upper part of the esophagus. This leads to the esophagus not opening normally.
Tests:
- Barium esophagogram -- involves swallowing a chalky liquid that appears in X-Rays, and illuminates the digestive tract.
Treatment usually involves surgically cutting the muscle in the upper part of the esophagus or surgical removal of the pouch. Significant improvement occurs in over 90% of patients. If the pouch is very small and does not cause symptoms, it can sometimes just be observed, and does not require any treatment.
