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Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

Zenker's diverticulum can be treated with a carbon dioxide laser or linear stapling device. A retrospective study on patients undergoing elective surgery for Zenker`s diverticulum with carbon dioxide laser or stapler was performed to analyse possible differences in inflammatory responses during the postoperative period. Leucocyte counts and C-reactive protein levels in peripheral blood were measured before and on days 1, 2, 3 and 5 after the operation. Read More

Orv Hetil 2019 Feb;160(7):264-269

Sebészeti Klinika, Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Szeged.

Microscope-assisted direct endoscopy of the airways and the upper gastrointestinal tract in general anesthesia is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic method of otorhinolaryngology. The quality of surgical exploration is a key for the good visibility and maneuverability of microsurgical tools. Beside the most commonly used Kleinsasser laryngoscope, the distending Weerda laryngoscope is a more favorable option for the exploration of the retrocricoid region. Read More

J Laryngol Otol 2019 Feb 6:1-4. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Department of ENT,Doncaster Royal Infirmary,UK.

Background: Pharyngeal pouch surgical treatments can be carried out via an endoscopic or open approach. Injection of botulinum toxin into the cricopharyngeus was first described as an alternative treatment to the more invasive surgical procedures performed for cricopharyngeal dysfunction. It has not been previously described as a treatment option for pharyngeal pouch. Read More

Diagn Cytopathol 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Radiology, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Pharyngeal or Zenker's diverticulum is an infrequent disorder that results from an outpouching of pharyngeal mucosa through a weakened area in the posterior pharyngeal wall. As it may mimic a thyroid nodule on ultrasonography (US), accurate diagnosis is important to ensure appropriate treatment. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is recommended for the initial evaluation of thyroid nodules. Read More

Gastrointest Endosc 2018 Oct 17. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Background And Aims: Incision of the cricopharyngeal (CP) muscle with flexible endoscopy is an important approach for Zenker diverticulum (ZD) repair with symptomatic resolution in approximately 90% of cases, but recurrence has been reported in up to 20%. We report our experience with a new endoscopic myectomy of the CP muscle and compare the outcome with conventional myotomy of ZD.

Methods: Our retrospective study included all patients with ZD who underwent endoscopic repair between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2017. Read More

Thorac Surg Clin 2018 Nov;28(4):507-520

Thoracic Oncology, Advanced GI, Thoracic Fellowships, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Swedish Cancer Institute, 1101 Madison Street, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Electronic address:

Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy has been demonstrated to be a safe and efficacious procedure with favorable outcomes for the treatment of cricopharyngeal dysfunction with or without Zenker diverticulum. It is a less invasive approach with decreased morbidity compared with the open approach and minimal reported complications. Peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy is a novel technique for the treatment of gastroparesis. Read More

Gastroenterology 2019 01 8;156(1):29-30. Epub 2018 Sep 8.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2019 ;19(1):95-99

Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, School of Medicine, Policlinico, Bari, Italy.

Background And Objective: Zenker Diverticulum (ZD) can sometimes be misinterpreted as a thyroid nodule both at clinical evaluation and at Ultrasound (US).

Case Presentation: We reported the case of a 46-years-old woman complaining of a lump in the anterior left aspect of the neck. Following clinical examination and US evaluation, a thyroid nodule was initially diagnosed and the patient was referred to our institution to be submitted to a fine-needle aspiration cytology. Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2018 Nov;43(11):e410-e411

From the Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, and.

A 72-year-old man underwent total thyroidectomy and radioiodine remnant ablation for papillary thyroid cancer in 2016. The posttherapy whole-body scan showed uptake in the neck, classified as residual thyroid tissue. Two years later, the patient came to our observation to perform a second radioiodine therapy for high levels of thyroglobulin. Read More

Rev Gastroenterol Peru 2018 Apr-Jun;38(2):211-212

Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud. Bogotá, Colombia; Sociedad de Cirugía de Bogotá. Bogotá, Colombia.

Indian J Cancer 2017 Oct-Dec;54(4):621-625

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Background: Total laryngectomy (TL) is a well-established procedure for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. There is an increasing number of TLs done after organ preservation strategies.

Aim: The aim of this study was to report 30-day morbidity and survival outcomes in patients undergoing TL at a tertiary referral center. Read More

Cir Cir 2018 ;86(4):355-358

Servicio de Gastrocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México.

Introducción: Los divertículos de Zenker son los divertículos más frecuentes del esófago. El tratamiento quirúrgico más utilizado es la diverticulectomía con miotomía del cricofaríngeo abierta. En años recientes se ha propuesto el tratamiento endoscópico. Read More

Cir Cir 2018 ;86(3):244-249

Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México.

Introducción: El divertículo de Zenker es una enfermedad rara en la población general. Su tratamiento puede llevarse a cabo mediante un enfoque endoscópico o quirúrgico.

Objetivo: Reportar la experiencia en el manejo del divertículo de Zenker en un centro de enseñanza de tercer nivel. Read More

Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2018 Apr;14(4):224-232

Dr Nabi and Dr Ramchandani are consultant gastroenterologists and Dr Reddy is chairman and chief gastroenterologist at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Hyderabad, India.

The capabilities of interventional gastrointestinal endoscopy have significantly increased over the past several decades. Improvements in devices and techniques have eased the transfer of novel concepts from bench to bedside. The concept of submucosal endoscopy with mucosal flap safety valve has enabled endoscopists to securely use submucosal space, or third space. Read More

Esophagus 2018 04 8;15(2):122-126. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Digestive and Operative Endoscopy Unit, Niguarda-Ca' Granda Hospital, Piazza dell'Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy.

Cricopharyngeal myotomy with flexible endoscope is a well-known and safe treatment for Zenker's diverticulum. We describe hereafter how we perform this flexible endotherapy. From January 2011 to January 2017, we treated 28 patients with this endotherapy. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 May;97(19):e0557

Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Medical University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to show that transcervical diverticulectomy (TD) in treatment of Zenker diverticulum (ZD) can still be a first choice procedure in selected patients and in experienced hands its safety might be compared to the minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulostomy.The study cohort consisted of 44 patients (18 male, 26 female) operated for (ZD). All the patients underwent open diverticulectomy. Read More

Chirurgia (Bucur) 2018 Mar-Apr;113(2):234-243

The Zenker Diverticulum is a rare pathology, the selection of patients for invasive treatments is questionable, as well as the applied therapeutic method. The aim of the study is to evaluate the main methods of classical and endoscopic surgical treatment in this pathology and to correlate pathophysiological aspects with clinical consequences.

Material And Method: We included 36 patients with Zenker hypopharyngeal diverticulum treated in 2010/2017 in two university clinics: 7 patients by classical surgical approach at the General and Esophageal Surgery Clinic of St. Read More

Eur J Gen Pract 2018 Dec;24(1):151-154

b Department of Thoracic Surgery , Ataturk University Medical Faculty , Erzurum , Turkey.

Introduction: Zenker's diverticulum is a diverticulum of the mucosa of the pharynx, just above the cricopharyngeal muscle. It occurs commonly in elderly patients (over 70 years) and the typical symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, chronic cough, aspiration and weight loss.

Case: We are reporting dysphagia in a 49-years old man who was treated as having Helicobacter Pylori gastritis for three years. Read More

J Dig Dis 2018 Apr 19;19(4):204-214. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Division of Digestive Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety following endoscopic management of Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) using a needle-knife technique.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases was performed. All original studies reporting efficacy and safety of needle-knife technique for treatment of ZD were included. Read More

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 May;144(5):461-462

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Endosc Int Open 2018 Apr 29;6(4):E470-E473. Epub 2018 Mar 29.

University of Milan, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Division of General Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.

Background And Study Aims : Endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum has proven feasible, but electrocautery and CO laser technology carry the risk of collateral thermal injury. Thulium laser septum incision may overcome this limitation. We describe for the first time the use of thulium laser through flexible endoscopy in a small cohort of patients with Zenker diverticulum. Read More

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2018 08 26;32(4):e92-e93. Epub 2018 Feb 26.

İstanbul Aydin University, Department of Anesthesiology, İstanbul, Turkey.

Ear Nose Throat J 2018 Mar;97(3):E34-E37

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, PO Box 1540, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 21441.

Our objectives were to review our experience with laser-assisted diverticulotomy (LAD) in the treatment of Zenker diverticulum (ZD) and compare our results with those in published literature on other endoscopic and surgical techniques. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 57 patients who underwent LAD treatment of ZD in a single tertiary care institution. Data on surgical complications, length of stay, and follow-up were collected. Read More

J Visc Surg 2018 06 23;155(3):247-249. Epub 2018 Feb 23.

Department of digestive and oncological surgery, University Hospital Claude Huriez-Regional University Hospital Center, place de Verdun, 59037, Lille cedex, France. Electronic address:

A Zenker's or pharyngoesophageal diverticulum may represent a rare cause of upper digestive obstruction, or more often, cervical dysphagia, regurgitations and cough. It develops most often on the posterior left side of cervical oesophagus in elderly patients, and depending on the severity of clinical symptoms may warrant surgical or endoscopic treatment. For large lesions with a difficult endoscopic access to the diverticular neck, surgery is recommended. Read More

Dig Endosc 2018 Jul 7;30(4):449-460. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Department of Interdisciplinary Endoscopy, University Hospital Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), or pharyngeal pouch, is an anatomical defect characterized by herniation of the posterior pharyngeal wall through Killian's dehiscence, and may result in dysphagia and regurgitation. Multiple therapeutic modalities including surgery, rigid and flexible endoscopy have been developed to manage ZD. Although surgical management with open and endoscopically assisted techniques have historically been the mainstay of ZD treatment, minimally invasive flexible endoscopic techniques, carried out under conscious sedation, are increasingly favored. Read More

Endoscopy 2018 02 29;50(2):183-184. Epub 2018 Jan 29.

Department of Internal Medicine III, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.

Endoscopy 2018 02 29;50(2):182. Epub 2018 Jan 29.

Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - I.R.C.S.S., Padua, Italy.

Endoscopy 2018 02 29;50(2):96-97. Epub 2018 Jan 29.

Gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, Hamburg, Germany.

OTO Open 2017 Dec 16;1(4). Epub 2017 Oct 16.

Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.

Zenker's diverticulum is a rare cause of progressive dysphagia that is treated surgically. KTP laser-based diverticulotomy is one effective treatment. Developing a simulation model is helpful for rare conditions. Read More

J Gastrointestin Liver Dis 2017 12;26(4):339-344

Department of Gastroenterology, Dudley Group Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley;Birmingham City University, United Kingdom.sauid.

Background: Intubation failure (IF) occurs when an endoscopist is unable to progress via the oropharynx into the upper oesophagus.

Aim: To assess incidence and aetiology of IF and predictors of structural pharyngeal abnormalities in patients with IF.

Methods: All gastroscopies (n=26,130) performed in our centre, between August 2010 and August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

N Engl J Med 2017 Nov;377(22):e31

Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France

Rev Gastroenterol Peru 2017 Jul-Sep;37(3):203-208

Departamento de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins. Lima, Perú.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the endoscopic management of Zenker Diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 device.

Materials And Methods: prospective and multicenter study (Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital and Golf Clinic). We included all patients with sintomatic Zenker Diverticulum that were treated with endoscopic cricopharyngeal miotomy from september 2013 until august 2016. Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2017 Oct;27(10):645-647

Department of ENT, North West Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Zenker's diverticulum (hypopharyngeal pouch) is a rare medical entity caused by herniation of esophageal mucosa and submucosa through an anatomical defect between the layers of the inferior constrictor muscle. It is believed that this occurs mainly due to incoordination between the stages of swallowing and timely opening of the cricopharyngeus. It usually affects the elderly and patients usually present with dysphagia, regurgitation of food, halitosis and aspiration. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2017 Nov;11(1):55-57

Department of General Surgery & Liver Diseases Warsaw Medical University School of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.

On the basis of 20 years' experience, the authors present the immediate and long-term results of operative treatment of Zenker's diverticulum. Comparison of two methods of surgery - diverticulopexia (in 21 patients) and excision (in 16), both associated with upper esophageal sphincter myotomy - shows good immediate and longterm results (from 1 to 19 years), with disappearance of symptoms (dysphagia) in all patients. There was no perioperative mortality. Read More

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 2017 Dec;27(6):e136-e140

Department of Gastroenterology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir.

Introduction: The Zenker diverticulum (ZD) is the most common type of esophageal diverticula. Management of ZD has different options; however, there is a recent increase in treatment with flexible endoscopic myotomy (FEM). In our study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of FEM among patients with ZD. Read More

Tunis Med 2016 Oct;94(10):621

Endoscopy 2018 02 27;50(2):137-141. Epub 2017 Sep 27.

Background And Study Aim: Relief from dysphagia and regurgitation are the main goals of therapy in symptomatic Zenker's diverticulum. Flexible endoscopic treatment has proved to be an effective and safe method in control of these symptoms. The aim of our study was to further improve the resection of the cricopharyngeal muscle using a new technique, the double incision and snare resection (DISR) procedure, to reduce the recurrence rate. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2017 Sep;96(9):363-364

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

J Clin Rheumatol 2017 Dec;23(8):444

From the Division of Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.

Diagn Cytopathol 2018 Feb 19;46(2):193-197. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

Thyroid Cytopathology Partners, Austin, Texas.

Pharyngoesophageal diverticula (PED) of the Zenker's and Killian-Jamieson types arise in close proximity to the thyroid gland, and may rarely be confused with a thyroid nodule on ultrasonography. In this brief report, we detail the cytologic, clinical, and radiologic findings of three PED that were thought to be thyroid nodules, and were subjected to fine-needle aspiration (FNA). The patients were females with an age range of 51-64 years. Read More

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 2017 Dec;27(6):445-448

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina Milan, Italy.

Background: Endoscopic Zenker diverticulum (ZD) treatment has become quite common because of the low complication rates, reduced procedure time, and shorter hospital stay. Many endoscopic treatments are available including the endoscopic stapled esophago-diverticulostomy (ESD). Many data regarding ESD are available on the short-term outcomes, but few on the long-term ones. Read More

Dig Endosc 2018 Jan 10;30(1):124. Epub 2017 Oct 10.

Division of Endoscopy, Specialties Hospital, National Medical Center Century XXI, Mexico City, Mexico.

Dysphagia 2018 Feb 23;33(1):136-137. Epub 2017 Aug 23.

Department of Gastroenterology, Russell Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK.

Am Surg 2017 Aug;83(8):e288-290

J Laryngol Otol 2017 Oct 15;131(10):930-932. Epub 2017 Aug 15.

Department of ENT,Kasturba Medical College,Manipal University,Manipal,India.

Background: Dysphagia is a relatively common symptom following laryngectomy. An anterior pharyngeal diverticulum is a rare cause of post-laryngectomy dysphagia. However, it is often an incidental finding on rigid telescopic examination. Read More

Endoscopy 2017 10 31;49(10):E223-E224. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

Department of Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de la Merced, Osuna, Sevilla, Spain.

Chirurg 2017 Aug;88(8):717-728

Klinik für Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Unispital Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz.

Over the last 20-30 years, treatment of pharyngoesophageal diverticula was subject to a number of fundamental changes. Considering the classical open transcervical approaches, the necessity for myotomy of the upper esophageal sphincter with the goal of interrupting the pathogenesis of the disease has become a standard component of the operation. On the other hand, with the growing popularity of rigid and flexible endoscopic techniques, pharyngoesophageal diverticula are increasingly being treated by gastroenterologists and otorhinolaryngologists, often with the argument of a technically easier and less invasive procedure; however, it remains unclear whether this shift towards endoscopic techniques truly translates into better outcome quality. Read More

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2017 Sep;109(9):669

Gastroenterologia, Hospital de Clinicas, Uruguay.

Treatment of Zenker's diverticulum by flexible endoscopy consists of the myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle and is considered to be feasible, effective and safe. This report describes the novel use of a Clutch Cutter® device to perform flexible endoscopic retreatment of a symptomatic recurrence after previous treatment using a Needle knife in a 68 year old woman with symptoms of dysphagia for solids. Read More