Zenker's diverticula: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and flexible endoscopic management

Abstract

Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is the most common type of diverticulum in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Most patients are elderly and present with symptoms of dysphagia. Serious complications include aspiration and malnutrition. The most common treatments are open surgical diverticulectomy with or without cricopharyngeal myotomy and rigid endoscopic myotomy. Recently, cricopharyngeal myotomy using flexible endoscopes has been described as a treatment option for symptomatic ZD. In this article we describe the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and review the techniques and outcome following flexible endoscopic management of Zenker's diverticulum.