Clinical Case Report: Zenker’s Esophageal Diverticulum in A 63-Year-Old Female Patient

Abstract

Introduction: Zenker’s diverticulum is a rare pharyngoesophageal outpouching, most often seen in elderly men, with an incidence of 0.01–0.11% [1]. Diagnosis is usually made with barium swallow and endoscopy, while ultrasound is rarely emphasized.
Case presentation: We report a 63-year-old female with progressive dysphagia for 6 months. An initial neck ultrasound revealed a cystic lesion with an air-fluid level and layered wall structure posterior to the thyroid lobe, suggestive of an esophageal diverticulum. Further evaluation with barium esophagography, contrast-enhanced CT, and upper endoscopy confirmed Zenker’s diverticulum. The patient underwent endoscopic surgery, with histopathology confirming the diagnosis.
Conclusion: This case highlights the adjunctive role of neck ultrasound in detecting Zenker’s diverticulum, a rare but important cause of dysphagia in elderly patients.