II. Epidemiology
- Age: 70-80 years
- Gender: Male predominance
- Incidence: 0.01–0.11% (U.S.)
III. Background
- First described by Abraham Ludlow (1679)
- Named for german pathologist Friedrich Albert von Zenker (1877)
IV. Pathophysiology
- Esophageal mucosa and submucosa outpouching
- Diverticulum protrudes through the posterior esophageal wall
- Passes between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus Muscles
-
Diverticulum caused by increased hypopharyngeal pressure
- May result from incomplete opening of the upper esophageal sphincter
V. Findings
- Dysphagia
- Regurgitation of undigested food
- Halitosis
VI. Complications
VII. Imaging
- Barium Swallow (preferred)
- Ultrasound
VIII. Differential Diagnosis
IX. Management
- Indications for Diverticulum correction by Endoscopic surgery
- Symptomatic patients with Diverticulum >1 cm
X. Resources
- Zenker Diverticulum (StatPearls)