Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum complicated by squamous cell carcinoma

✍ Scribed by Zitsch, Robert P. ;O'brien, Christopher J. ;Maddox, William A.

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1987
• Weight: 296 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0148-6403
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2890090508

✦ Synopsis

Pharyngoesophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum is a relatively common acquired condition that may cause dysphagia and regurgitation of food. Squamous carcinoma may develop in such a diverticulum, but this complication is exceedingly rare and may not be suspected preoperatively. This report describes a case in which the diagnosis of squamous carcinoma was made after regurgitation of malignant tissue from a radiographically proven pharyngoesophageal diverticulum. The patient was treated by simple diverticulectomy and postoperative radiation therapy. HEAD 81 NECK SURGERY 9:290-294,1987.

Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum was initially described by Ludlow in 1769, but is eponymously named after Zenker who defined the pathophysiology of the condition in 1888.' It represents an outpouching of mucosa between the oblique and transverse fibers of the cricopharyngeal muscle and is thought to be caused by excessive transmural pressure generated by hypertonic or poorly coordinated sphincter activity.2 As the diverticulum enlarges, the patient experiences dysphagia and may regurgitate food. When it achieves a very large size, complete obstruction and aspiration may