Rare giant zenker’s diverticulum with mediastinal extension

Zenker's Diverticulum (ZD) is a herniation of the posterior pharyngeal wall between the inferior pharyngeal constrictor and the cricopharyngeus muscle through a natural weakness [1]. The main clinical presentation is progressive solid food and pill dysphagia, with subsequent weight loss, halitosis, and regurgitation, complicated by the occurrence of several aspiration and recurrent pneumonia when extended into the chest [2,3]. Indeed, only rare few cases of massive mediastinal extension were reported in the literature [3]. We report the case of 56-year-old woman, with 6 months history of persistent and progressive solid dysphagia, regurgitation and significant weight loss. She also reported chronic coughing and multiple episodes of pneumonia. The physical examination revealed a huge anterior cervical mass, progressively growing, tender and painless at palpation with no signs of local inflammation. The CT scan showed a giant out-pouching sac over the posterior cervical esophagus with air-fluid level extended to its thoracic portion into the mediastinum corresponding to a giant Zenker's diverticulum. Resection was chosen as a therapeutic option with complete resolution of the symptoms.