Welcome To Iconocast

How to add a URL link from your web site to the Iconocast web sites

Virtual tour of Southern California

Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: zenker's diverticulum + zenker's diverticulum: + diverticulum  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Zenker's Diverticulum

Zenker's diverticulum is a pouch at the back of the throat at a weak spot where the throat and esophagus join. These diverticula are uncommon and tend to occur in elderly people.

Patients with this condition often exhibit no symptoms. When food and saliva fill up the pouch, however, symptoms can occur and may include:

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

• Undigested food that comes back up
• Cough, especially at night
• Hoarseness
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Food getting into the breathing passages or lungs (aspiration)

Article continues below and (thank you)

Diagnosis

A barium swallow is the most effective way to diagnose a Zenker's diverticulum. The barium solution fills the pouch in the esophageal wall so that it can be seen on an X-ray.

Zenker's diverticula are normally not treated unless they cause symptoms.

Symptomatic diverticula are usually treated by surgery. The surgeon cuts the muscle between the throat and esophagus and removes the pouch.

Your doctor has requested a procedure called a barium swallow. This exam is performed to assess frequent heartburn (pain), gastric reflux (food/acid comes back up), aspiration (food and/or fluid in your wind pipe), difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing. John Bray, MD, Chief of Gastrointestinal Radiology at Cedars-Sinai, leads a team of physicians, nurses and technologists who specialize in these procedures.

For a satisfactory exam, your stomach must be empty. It is important that you not eat or drink anything from midnight prior to your exam.

Additionally, do not use gum, mints or cigarettes the morning of your exam.

We want to make your waiting time as pleasant as possible. Consider bringing your favorite magazine, book or music player to help you pass the time.

The technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have prior to your exam.

You will be asked to change into a gown.

Your exam will be performed on a tilting table that will allow the procedure to be performed with you standing and lying down.

You will stand for the first portion of your study and will drink a cup of liquid (barium).

The imaging physician will watch the flow of the liquid with a fluoroscope (an X-ray unit combined with a television screen). The liquid will move from your mouth to your stomach.

The imaging physician will ask you to turn in different positions while taking pictures.

For the second portion of your procedure you will lie on the exam table, on your stomach and drink more liquid.

The imaging physician will take additional pictures in this position.

After the imaging physician has completed the initial imaging, the technologist will take an additional series of X-rays.

Your procedure will take approximately 60 minutes.

Drink plenty of liquid for 24 to 48 hours.

The barium may make your stool white for several days.

If you experience constipation, your physician may recommend a mild laxative.

Your study will be read by the imaging physician and results sent to your physician, usually within 48 hours. Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.

To request copies of your pictures on a PC-compatible CD, call (310) 423-8000. To request a copy of your report, call (310) 423-8000.