Oesophageal Diverticula

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 epitheliuma nd 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