Zenker's diverticulum: a case report and literature review

Pan Afr Med J. 2014 Apr 12:17:267. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2014.17.267.4173. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The pharyngeal pouch (Zenker's diverticulum) is a diverticulum of the mucosa of the pharynx, just above the cricopharyngeal muscle (i.e. above the upper sphincter of the oesophagus). It occurs commonly in elderly patients (over 70 year) and the typical symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, chronic cough, aspiration and weight loss. We are reporting a case of an oropharyngeal dysphagia due to a Zenker's diverticulum in 75 years old Sudanese man with a chronic history of dysphagia for solids. The pathophysiology of Zenker's diverticulum, clinical presentation, and management are reviewed.

Keywords: Oropharyngeal dysphagia; Zenker′s diverticulum; pharyngeal pouch.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sudan
  • Zenker Diverticulum / diagnosis
  • Zenker Diverticulum / physiopathology*
  • Zenker Diverticulum / therapy