Zenker Diverticulum

Abstract

Zenker Diverticulum is a multifactorial disorder of the Killian’s triangle in the
hypopharynx characterized by the main symptoms of dysphagia affecting the
seventh and eighth decades of age and rarely under 40 years of age. The existence
of factors that cause an increase in the intraluminal pressure of the pharynx will
lead to the formation of a pocket located in the Killian’s triangle, an area with weaker
tone of the hypopharyngeal wall and a decrease in relative pressure in the
retropharyngeal space. Zenker Diverticulum was first described by Ludlow in 1769,
who reported abnormal dilatation of the posterior pharyngeal wall on postmortem
examination of a patient who complained a lifelong dysphagia. Zenker Diverticulum
is thought to be associated with increasing age in relation to motor muscle
coordination for swallowing functions and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, malnutrition, and recurrent aspiration
pneumonia. Management includes invasive surgery and non-invasive endoscopy.