Current status of endoscopic treatment for esophageal diverticulum based on diverticular peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Abstract

Esophageal diverticulum can be broadly classified into three main types: Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum located near the upper esophageal sphincter (including Zenker's diverticulum, Killian-Jamieson diverticulum, and Laimer's diverticulum); Mid-esophageal diverticulum, and epiphrenic diverticulum located just above the lower esophageal sphincter. Most asymptomatic esophageal diverticulum are incidentally detected during routine imaging studies, such as barium swallow, computed tomography scans, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. For these patients, regular follow-up is typically sufficient. However, a small subset may experience persistent symptoms such as dysphagia and acid reflux. Patients with symptomatic diverticulum should be assessed for the potential need for surgical intervention to prevent serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. The treatment options for symptomatic esophageal diverticulum encompass both endoscopic and surgical approaches. Due to the technical complexity and significant risks associated with surgical intervention, endoscopic treatment has gained increasing preference, achieving remarkable results with the advancements in endoscopic instruments and techniques. Given the anatomical location and pathophysiological differences among esophageal diverticulum, a personalized endoscopic strategy is essential to achieve optimal results. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of esophageal diverticulum and offers a comprehensive discussion of diverticular peroral endoscopic myotomy and its related variations as the primary endoscopic treatment strategy.