Pseudodiverticulum (Pseudodiverticula), Esophageal

Synonyms

Esophageal traction or pulsion diverticula; Pseudodiverticula of the esophageal body

Definition

Pseudodiverticula of the esophageal body are outpouchings of the esophageal lumen containing mucosa and submucosa, through a defect in the muscular layer. The term pseudodiverticulum implies that congenital diverticula are excluded as the latter are “true” diverticula, meaning that they contain all layers of esophageal wall. Pseudodiverticula can also be classified according to their pathogenesis as pulsion or traction diverticula, the former resulting from high intraluminal pressure (a mechanism shared by Zenker’s and epiphrenic diverticula) and the latter from a mechanism of traction from the outside of the esophagus. Pulsion diverticula can also be associated with motility disorders of the esophagus such as achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, or hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter, although this causal relationship is more established in the case of epiphrenic diverticula....