Oesophageal Diverticula

Typical Signalment

• Rare in small animals
• More common in dogs than cats
• No important breed or sex predisposition

Description

A circumscribed sacculation of the oesophageal wall. These can be divided into congenital or acquired. Congenital diverticula are due to a herniation of the mucosa through a muscularis defect. Acquired diverticula can be subdivided into:

1. Traction forms consists of all the oesophageal layers and results from peri-oesophageal inflammation and fibrosis and develop mainly in the cranial and mid-oesophageal body. Sacculations are created by adhesions to adjacent tissues.
2. Pulsion forms includes the epithelium and connective tissue and results from:

• an increase in intraluminal oesophageal pressure
• abnormal local oesophageal motiltiy
• deep oesophageal inflammation
• a stenosis interupting normal peristalsis
• vascular ring abnormalities
• lodged foreign bodies

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

usually result from food/fluid impaction in the sacculated area and can present as:

• regurgitation
• odynophagia
• retching
• postprandial dyspnoea
• anorexia
• sepsis if the diverticulum becomes perforated
• may be subclinical if small

Laboratory Tests

Normal

Diagnostic Imaging

Survey radiography: may show an air/soft tissue density next to or involving the oesophagus

Contrast radiography: will show focal dilation or a partial or complete filling of contrast media in the lumen of the oesophagus.

Endoscopy: will confirm the diagnosis