GENERAL SURGERY

Oesophageal pouches and diverticula: A pictorial review

N Khan^I; F Ismail^II; I E A van de Werke^III

^IFCRad (D); Department of Radiology, Kalafong Hospital and University of Pretoria
^IIFCRad (D), MMed Rad (D); Department of Radiology, Kalafong Hospital and University of Pretoria
^IIIFRCR; Department of Radiology, Kalafong Hospital and University of Pretoria

ABSTRACT

Diverticula of the oesophagus are rare. They can occur at any level, and are often defined by their anatomical location. Three categories are recognised, namely pharyngo-oesophageal, parabronchial and epiphrenic. Although these diverticula are often asymptomatic, patients can develop significant problems with dysphagia, regurgitation and aspiration. The causation of oesophageal diverticula is controversial; however, the popular current belief is that most occur because of oesophageal dysmotility. This paper demonstrates the categories of oesophageal diverticula pictorially, including the radiological features and underlying pathology.

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