Epiphrenic esophageal diverticula: spectrum of symptoms and consequences.
Patients with esophageal diverticula may present with a variety of symptoms. Many of these symptoms mimic less serious disease, making diagnosis of esophageal diverticulum difficult for many primary care physicians. Delayed or missed diagnosis of this disorder may lead to more serious problems including gastrointestinal bleeding, aspiration pneumonia, and cancer. Our case series illustrates a variety of symptoms observed among three patients who were diagnosed and surgically treated for esophageal diverticulum. Appropriate diagnosis and management of esophageal diverticulum results in resolution of symptoms and decreased risk of morbidity.
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA. jhconklin@mac.com
Jeremy H
JH
Conklin
Deepak
D
Singh
Mark R
MR
Katlic
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004936:Diverticulum, Esophageal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006356:Heartburn / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies