Zenker’s diverticulum is a pouch that forms where the lower part of the throat meets the upper part of the esophagus. It commonly occurs in older adults and makes it difficult to swallow. Left untreated, it can put a person at a higher risk of choking and aspiration.
If swallowing has become difficult, our providers at Piedmont Ear Nose and Throat Associates (PENTA) can determine if your symptoms are a result of Zenker’s diverticulum and provide a customized treatment plan.
What Are the Symptoms of Zenker’s Diverticulum?
- Trouble swallowing
- Bad breath
- Chronic cough
- Feeling a lump in your throat
- Regurgitation of food
- Weight loss because eating is difficult
How Do Doctors Diagnose This Condition?
Your doctor may recommend a modified barium swallow, or MBS, which is a radiographic assessment of swallowing. This will allow your doctor to assess how you swallow.
How Is a Zenker’s Diverticulum’s Treated?
Dietary modifications
Surgery is the standard of treatment, but dietary adjustments are an alternative. Patients may opt for a pureed or fully liquid diet, as most symptoms are commonly triggered by the consumption of solid foods.
Surgery
Surgery is often the primary method of treating Zenker’s diverticulum. Your provider will thoroughly explain the surgery beforehand and answer any questions that arise so you can feel confident about the process.
The current favored method is minimally invasive surgery, which involves a precise incision of the CP muscle through an oral approach. This technique, when executed by a surgeon skilled in minimally invasive procedures, boasts a success rate of at least 85% in providing long-term symptom relief.
Zenker’s diverticulum can cause discomfort, but Piedmont Ear Nose and Throat Associates (PENTA) will help you find relief through diet or surgery. You aren’t in this alone.