Zenker's diverticulum misinterpreted as a thyroid mass: Case report

Fatemeh Salimi; Jerocin Vishani Loyala; Arbaaz Pervaiz; Stuart Winter

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.004

Zenker's diverticulum misinterpreted as a thyroid mass: Case report

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2020 Nov 6:60:515-517. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.004. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Authors

Fatemeh Salimi¹, Jerocin Vishani Loyala¹, Arbaaz Pervaiz¹, Stuart Winter¹

Affiliation

¹ Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.

Abstract

We discuss an unusual presentation of Zenker's Diverticulum (ZD). A 76-year-old man presented with a left sided neck mass which was misdiagnosed as a thyroid mass due to the anatomical location and size. The ultrasound and fine needle-aspiration cytology findings were inconclusive, and a CT scan was then considered which reported a large pharyngeal pouch. Our recommendation is to consider an early CT scan in patient's where there is a clinical suspicion or risk factors for the development of pharyngeal pouch specially when the fine-needle aspiration cytology findings are inconclusive. This would reduce the risk of a delayed diagnosis which can prevent potential perforation of the pharyngeal pouch and development of mediastinitis.

Keywords: Development of pharyngeal pouch; Neck Lump; Surgical excision of the pharyngeal pouch; Zenker's Diverticulum.

Publication types

Case Reports