Foreign body in a Zenker’s diverticulum (looking for the lost dentures)

Abstract

Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), an acquired false pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, is a rare pathology. The prevalence of ZD among the general population is believed to be between 0.01% and 0.11%. Most patients are elderly men with symptoms of dysphagia. The most common treatments are open surgical diverticulectomy with or without cricopharyngeal myotomy and endoscopic myotomy. The authors report the case of a dental prosthesis lodged within an asymptomatic ZD in a 73-year-old man. It was safely removed endoscopically. So far, there have only been single reports of entrapment of an enteroscopy capsule lodged in a ZD in medical literature.

Pharyngoesophageal Obstruction on the Killian-Laimer Triangle by Zenker’s Diverticulum: Case Report and Clinical Significance

“…The Zenker’s diverticulum, also known as pharyngoesophageal diverticulum or cricopharyngeus diverticulum, is described as an esophageal pseudodiverticulum, as its walls are composed by the mucosa and submucosa layers of the esophagus. It was described by Ludlow in 1769 and in 1878 by Friedrich Von Zenker [ 1 , 2 ].…”

“…The Zenker’s diverticulum rarely affects individuals below 40 years old. The presence of a second diverticulum, albeit smaller, is verified in 1-2% of cases [ 2 , 3 , 8 ]. Despite being a rare clinical entity, the exact prevalence of this disease canot be accurately measured, considering the fact that the Zenker’s diverticulum is asymptomatic in numerous cases, thus, making the diagnosis inexistent.…”

“…Despite being a rare clinical entity, the exact prevalence of this disease canot be accurately measured, considering the fact that the Zenker’s diverticulum is asymptomatic in numerous cases, thus, making the diagnosis inexistent. It occurs more often in men than in women, and the diverticulum can be associated with other diseases, such as Barret’s esophagus, hiatal hernia, achalasia, laryngocele, leiomyoma, polymyositis and esophageal stenosis [ 2 , 6 ].…”

“…It is caused by a loss of elasticity and muscle tone of the mucosae and submucosae layers of the esophagus. The diverticulum is located at the Killian-Laimer’s triangle [ 1 , 2 ]. The Zenker’s diverticulum is rare, and it is found in the elderly, mostly at the sixth, seventh or eighth decade of life.…”

“…The Zenker’s diverticulum is rare, and it is found in the elderly, mostly at the sixth, seventh or eighth decade of life. It can be asymptomatic for weeks or years, but, in its symptomatic form, it presents with symptoms such as dysphagia and odynophagia [ 2 ]. The diagnosis for Zenker’s diverticulum is usually done through a barium esophagogram, but the diverticulum can also be diagnosed by an endoscopy [ 3 ].…”