Zenker Diverticulum: A Potential Pitfall in Thyroid Ultrasound Evaluation: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Literature

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2019;19(1):95-99. doi: 10.2174/1871530318666180910122003.

Abstract

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. Management and Outcome: A ZD was suspected by US and diagnosed by gastrografin esophagram, thus an endoscopic diverticulotomy was requested.

Conclusion: A correct US evaluation can be crucial for the appropriate management of a neck mass.

Keywords: Zenker diverticulum; case report; pharyngoesophageal diverticulum; systematic review; thyroid nodule; ultrasound..

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroid Nodule / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography
  • Zenker Diverticulum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Zenker Diverticulum / epidemiology
  • Zenker Diverticulum / surgery