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Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The interrelationship between gastroesophageal reflux and Zenker's diverticulum remains unclear. The view that cervical diverticula are induced by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GER) is apparently supported by epidemiologic observations indicating that they occur only in populations with a high incidence of GER. However, it is difficult to prove causality on the basis of currently available physiological and pathophysiological investigations. The few data published to date now end to support a cryptogenic change in upper esophageal sphincter (UES) muscle motility characteristics instead of a reflux induced lesion to the UES. Clinical experience also shows that GER does not play a major role in individual cases of Zenker's diverticula, nor do many surgeons consider it a risk following cervical myotomy. This is confirmed by a very low complication rate even in large series of patients in whom no attempt was made preoperatively to rule out concomitant reflux disease. In conclusion, some facts suggest that reflux disease may be a cause of the development of Zenker's diverticulum. In the majority of cases, however, autochtonic structural lesions to the UES muscle fibers or other, as yet unknown, reasons are more probable.
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PMID:Zenker's diverticulum and reflux. 163 87

In a series of 100 surgically treated patients, Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) appeared mostly as a typical geriatric disorder (50% over 70 years) in which not only oesophageal symptoms but also pulmonary symptoms (37%) may lead to a life-threatening situation. In 60% of the patients, associated upper gastrointestinal pathology was observed, most frequently being gastro-oesophageal reflux (30 patients). In 30% of the manometric studies of the oesophageal body and lower oesophageal sphincter, clear pathological patterns were observed. Morphological examinations, enzymohistochemistry, immunohistochemistry showed clear pathological changes not only at the level of the cricopharyngeal muscle but also at the level of the striated muscles of the cervical oesophagus. These clinical, manometric and morphological changes suggest that ZD is one expression of a more complex neurogenic disorder. They also justify the extramucosal myotomy of the cricopharyngeal wall and the striated muscle wall of the cervical oesophagus as well, as the cardinal step of operation. This myotomy was combined with a diverticulopexy resulting in no post-operative mortality and a minimum of morbidity. The mean longterm follow-up in this series is 4 years, showing excellent and very good results in 96% of the patients for the oesophageal symptoms and in 92% for the full spectrum of oesophageal and pulmonary symptomatology. With this single step operation, no recurrence has been seen seen as opposed to the endoscopic procedure.
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PMID:Pharyngo-oesophageal diverticulum (Zenker's). Clinical, therapeutic and morphological aspects. 212 50

Eighteen patients were evaluated for primary symptoms of cervical dysphagia and/or laryngeal aspiration and subsequently had a cricopharyngeal myotomy. Twelve patients had a neurologic lesion as the cause of the symptoms. Four patients had a Zenker's diverticulum as demonstrated by barium contrast roentgenograms. Two patients complained of persistent suprasternal dysphagia following one or more antireflux repairs for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophageal manometry identified a pharyngoesophageal motor disorder in all but four patients, two of the four with Zenker's diverticulum and the two who had an antireflux procedure. The results show that cricopharyngeal myotomy should be reserved for patients with an identifiable motor disorder confined to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, ie, failure of the pharyngeal pump or cricopharyngeal incoordination and/or incomplete relaxation. Exceptions to this rule are as follows: Zenker's diverticulum, in which an abnormality may not always be detected but of which the results of surgery demonstrate the effectiveness of this procedure; and pharyngoesophageal complaints associated with reflux, most of which resolve with the restoration of distal esophageal sphincter competence. In those few patients in whom these conditions persist, a cricopharyngeal myotomy may be beneficial. Caution should be used in applying the procedure to individuals who have had multiple antireflux repairs.
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PMID:Pharyngoesophageal dysfunctions. The role of cricopharyngeal myotomy. 392 Oct 4

The classification and etiopathogenesis of esophageal diverticula is discussed on the basis of our experience with the surgical management of 74 such diverticula (51 parapharyngeal, 7 thoracic, 167 epiphrenic). Parapharyngeal diverticula always represent true diverticula, their walls comprising muscular tissue as well as mucosa and submucosa. A causal relationship between esophageal reflux disease and Zenker's diverticulum has not yet been proved. Thoracic diverticula are probably more often of a congenital than traction origin. Epiphrenic diverticula result either from hypertonia of the lower esophageal sphincter (esophageal achalasia) or, if the latter functions normally, are of congenital origin. Traction etiology can in special cases be due to the presence of a leiomyoma in the esophageal wall.
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PMID:Etiopathogenesis and classification of esophageal diverticula. 393 81

Forty adult patients have undergone a 7 to 10 cm cervical esophagomyotomy (from the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage to behind the clavicle) for cricopharyngeal dysfunction. A Zenker's diverticulum was present in 12 patients (30%) and in five was recurrent. Preoperative symptoms included cervical dysphagia (85%), expectoration of saliva (40%), and intermittent hoarseness (30%). Four patients were being fed through tubes because of total inability to swallow. "Heartburn" was experienced by one half of the patients, but only 12 had acid or food regurgitation. The duration of symptoms ranged from 1 month to 11 years (average 3.9 years). Weight loss had occurred in 15 patients (38%) and ranged from 5.5 to 40.9 kg (average 16 kg). Barium swallows showed no abnormalities in 10 patients. Abnormal findings included a Zenker's diverticulum (12), prominent cricopharyngeal sphincter (11), nasopharyngeal reflux or incoordinated initiation of deglutition, or both (seven), a sliding hiatal hernia (11), and abnormal esophageal motility (seven). Esophageal manometry revealed abnormalities of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) function in only 16 patients. Of 36 patients undergoing standard acid reflux testing, one third had moderate-to-severe gastroesophageal reflux. Seven patients underwent staple resection of a Zenker's diverticulum at the time of cervical esophagomyotomy. Postoperative complications included transient vocal cord paresis (four), vocal cord paralysis (one), and salivary fistula (one). There were no postoperative deaths. After 2 to 48 months (average 16 months) of follow-up, 34 patients (85%) have had a good to excellent result, and six (15%) have not been benefited by operation.
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PMID:Extended cervical esophagomyotomy for cricopharyngeal dysfunction. 677 51

Current methods to evaluate patients with esophageal disease include barium swallow with fluoroscopy, which is useful in demonstrating structural defects. Disordered motility is better evaluated with a cine-esophagram. Recent application of radioisotopes has been useful in evaluation of esophageal reflux and the post-treatment of achalasia. Esophageal motility studies may evaluate lower esophageal sphincter and upper esophageal sphincter pressures and the response of the body of the esophagus to series of swallows. Since there is no "gold standard" for the evaluation of reflux esophagitis, some of the tests designed to evaluate reflux and the patient's reaction to acid in the esophagus include the acid infusion test, the standard acid reflux test, the acid clearance test, and 24-hour pH monitoring. Endoscopy with either the flexible or the rigid instrument is important for the diagnosis of obstruction or esophagitis and allows direct visualization of the esophagus. The treatment of reflux esophagitis is discussed. The differential diagnosis of dysphagia may include achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, and mechanical obstruction of the esophagus due to rings, webs, strictures, and benign or malignant tumors. The evaluation of dysphagia should include radiologic as well as endoscopic evaluation. Treatment of obstruction varies according to the nature of the lesion. The Mallory-Weiss syndrome or bleeding from the mucosal tears of the gastroesophageal junction and Boerhaave's syndrome, spontaneous esophageal perforation, are two disorders associated with vomiting. The Mallory-Weiss syndrome usually resolves without specific therapy, but a high index of suspicion is required for patients with chest pain after vomiting, as spontaneous perforation necessitates immediate surgery. Most diverticula need no treatment, but the Zenker diverticulum, if symptomatic, should probably be surgically repaired.
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PMID:Evaluation and management of diseases of the esophagus. 703 70

The laryngeal manifestations of GER may present with a number of nonspecific signs or symptoms. Patients with hoarseness, dysphagia, globus sensation, laryngeal granulomas, and subglottic stenosis should be evaluated for GER. In addition, physicians should be aware of the possible association of GER with Zenker's diverticulum and laryngeal carcinoma. While pH manometry is the mainstay for diagnosis of GER, the sensitivity is lower for patients with head and neck manifestations of GER probably because of the intermittancy of the reflux. The use of a pharyngeal probe may improve the sensitivity of the test. Treatment of head and neck manifestations of GER is no different than reflux esophagitis and medical therapy is typically successful in resolving symptoms.
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PMID:The association of gastroesophageal reflux and otolaryngologic disorders. 774 73

History taking is the first step in the evaluation of a patient. An analysis of the information obtained provides the basis for the choice and order of diagnostic tests. In addition, it provides the clinician with the necessary information to determine the relevance of "abnormal tests" to the patient's problem. Dysphagia is a reliable symptom that indicates an abnormality in the swallowing mechanism. The history should contain a detailed description of the symptoms associated with dysphagia from the onset. Especially relevant are questions to determine if dysphagia is experienced every day or intermittently, with solid food or liquids or both, as well as presence and timing of associated symptoms such as, choking, coughing and regurgitation, changes in speech, heartburn and chest pain. It is clinically useful to divide swallowing into three phases: oral, pharyngeal and esophageal. Oral dysphagia is usually due to a neurologic disorder, decreased salivary flow or painful oropharyngeal lesions. Pharyngeal dysphagia is most frequently caused by neuromuscular disorders and less frequently by a Zenker's diverticulum, neoplasm or a mucosal web. Esophageal dysphagia is caused by a structural narrowing, such as produced by a peptic stricture, neoplasm or a Schatzki's ring or by a primary motility abnormality, such as achalasia or diffuse esophageal spasm or by motility abnormalities produced by inflammation caused by gastroesophageal reflux, medication-induced esophageal ulceration or infectious esophagitis.
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PMID:Art and science of history taking in the patient with difficulty swallowing. 846 26

For more than 2 centuries, the nature and pathophysiology of pharyngoesophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum has been a matter of argument. The intrinsic or extrinsic forces and structures that might play a role in the development of this disorder have been repeatedly scrutinized, and still today the different theories of muscular incoordination and/or spasm, cricopharyngeal achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux, or neuromuscular abnormalities try to find their way as the final word regarding etiology remains to be told. Options for treatment follow a similar pattern although myotomy and diverticulopexy seem to have yielded the best results. In this review, historical and current data gathered from the world literature are compiled in an attempt to give a clear overview of the pathophysiology surrounding the genesis of Zenker's diverticulum and the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and different alternatives for definite treatment of this disorder.
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PMID:Zenker's diverticulum: reappraisal. 912 43

Zenker's diverticulum is a pouch protruding posteriorly above the upper esophageal sphincter, in the Killian's triangle, an area of relative weakness. Zenker's diverticulum was thought, for many years, to occur as a result of cricopharyngeal incoordination but more recent evidence points to poor upper sphincter compliance with diminished sphincter opening and increased hypopharyngeal pressures. Small Zenker's diverticula may be asymptomatic. As they become larger, symptoms include dysphagia, food regurgitation, and a sensation of globus. The best diagnostic method is a barium swallow with attention to the cricopharyngeal area. Although gastroesophageal reflux may be responsible for many throat symptoms, the relationship of reflux to the pathogenesis of Zenker's diverticulum is speculative. The treatment of Zenker's diverticulum is surgical. There have been many variations in technique over the years. Diverticulectomy with cricopharyngeal myotomy remains the most frequently performed operation. Endoscopic treatment with or without laser stapling has been reported but is not popular in the United States.
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PMID:Zenker's diverticulum. 961 33


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