Zenker diverticulum

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Dysphagia and regurgitation.

Patient Data

Age: 72
Gender: Male

Barium swallow

x-ray

There is a saccular formation filled with contrast at the level of the hypopharynx, just proximal to the upper esophagus. This is compatible with a Zenker diverticulum.

Case Discussion

The Zenker diverticulum is a pulsion-pseudodiverticulum and results from herniation of mucosa and submucosa through the dehiscence of Killian, a focal weakness in the hypopharynx at the normal cleavage plane between the fibers of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor and the cricopharyngeus muscles.

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