Medical image of the week: Zenker's diverticulum

• Main Authors: Stockdall C, Swazo R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arizona Thoracic Society 2017-07-01
• Series: Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care
• Subjects: Zenker's; diverticulum; chest x-ray; CT scan; eosphagoscopy; endoscopy; aspiration; pneumonia; Killian's triangle; treatment
• Online Access: http://www.swjpcc.com/imaging/2017/7/5/medical-image-of-the-week-zenkers-diverticulum.html

No abstract available. Article truncated at 150 words. A 71-year-old man with history of recurrent aspiration pneumonia and previous esophageal surgery presented to the Emergency Department with acute hypoxia and leukocytosis. Imaging, above, showed a consolidation in the RUL and on lateral view an air fluid level. This was suspicious for infection or malignancy. For the ongoing concern for possible esophageal pathology given previous surgery, GI was consulted and upper endoscopy performed. He was found to have an esophageal dilation at repair site of a previous Zenker’s diverticulum filled with food. Zenker’s Diverticulum is a defect in the muscular wall of the hypopharynx in an area known as Killian's triangle. This condition is male predominant mainly occurring in the 3rd to 4th decade and/or the 7th to 8th decade of life. The out pouching created will accumulate food and eventually lead to high incidences of aspiration pneumonia. Treatment is usually surgical in nature and can cause vocal cord …