Surgical management of a cervical esophageal diverticulum in and long-term outcome for a five-month-old cat

Abstract

CASE DESCRIPTION A 5-month-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for recurrent regurgitation and hypersalivation after eating, which had been evident since adoption 2 months earlier. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination was unremarkable. Plain thoracic radiography, positive contrast esophagography, endoscopy, CT, electromyography, and blood analysis were performed. A caudal cervical esophageal diverticulum, likely congenital, was diagnosed. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A diverticulectomy was performed with a surgical stapler while an endoscope was in the esophageal lumen. No intra- or postoperative complications were reported. Postoperative and short-term outcomes were excellent, with resolution of clinical signs and no endoscopic esophageal abnormality 3 months after surgery. The cat remained without clinical signs 8 months after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE An esophageal diverticulum in a cat is rare. The cat of this report had a good outcome following surgical management of a cervical esophageal diverticulum. Surgery is worth considering for similarly affected cats, but additional cases are required to confirm the benefit of surgery versus conservative management. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021;259:396–400)