eCureMe logo
  eCureMe home eCureMe log In Sign Up!
eCureMe Life : Your Healthy Living. Click Here!
Welcome, eCureMe.com medical contents search May 9, 2013
       eCureMe Life
       Medical Supplies
       Calorie Count
       Self-Diagnosis
       Physician Search
       Message Board
      E-mail Doctor
      E-mail Veterinarian
      Self-Diagnosis
      Health-O-Matic Meter
      Calorie Count
      Natural Medicine
      Vitamins & Minerals
      Alternative Living
      My Health Chart
      Diseases & Treatments
      Atlas of Diseases
      Sexually Transmitted
      Diseases
      Drug Information
      Illegal Drugs
      Lab & Diagnostic Tests
      Internal Medicine
      Women’s Health
      Pediatrics
      Eye Disorders
      Skin Disorders
      Headache
      Mental Health
      Radiology
      Neurology
      Allergy
      Resource Links
      Physician Directory
      Dentist Directory
      Hospital Directory





Zenker's Diverticulum

more about Zenker's Diverticulum


  • Zenker's diverticulum is a small outpouching of the wall of the throat.  It develops at the junction of the throat and the esophagus (the food pipe).

  • Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and regurgitation of food, which tends to develop very slowly over years.  Patients are usually middle aged or elderly.
  • Initially, symptoms are vague and include difficulty swallowing.  As the pouch enlarges, patients often develop a cough, Bad Breath, and vomit up undigested food.
  • Some patients may even notice a bulge in the throat, or have repeated Pneumonia infections.

  • It is generally felt that this disease is due to the loss of the elasticity of the upper part of the esophagus.  This leads to the esophagus not opening normally.

  • Tests:

- Barium esophagogram -- involves swallowing a chalky liquid that appears in X-Rays, and illuminates the digestive tract.


  • Treatment usually involves surgically cutting the muscle in the upper part of the esophagus or surgical removal of the pouch.  Significant improvement occurs in over 90% of patients.  If the pouch is very small and does not cause symptoms, it can sometimes just be observed, and does not require any treatment.