Videothoracoscopic management of middle esophageal diverticulum with secondary bronchoesophageal fistula: Report of a case

Bronchoesophageal fistula secondary to esophageal diverticulum in an adult: a case report and literature review

Esophageal diverticulum with secondary bronchoesophageal fistula is a rare clinical entity that manifests as respiratory infections, coughing during eating or drinking, hemoptysis, and sometimes fatal complications. In the present study, we describe a case of bronchoesophageal fistula emanating from esophageal diverticulum in a 45-year-old man who presented with bronchiectasis. We summarize the characteristics of this rare condition based on a review of the relevant literature.

A thoracoscopically resected case of the diverticulum in the middle esophagus

Background

Approximately 65% of esophageal diverticulum cases are asymptomatic and are found by endoscopic examination. Symptomatic middle esophageal diverticulum requiring surgery is rare. In recent years, endoscopic surgery for middle esophageal diverticulum has been reported, but cases remain few in number, and the surgical indication, surgical procedure, and postoperative results are unknown.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old man had been diagnosed as having a middle esophageal diverticulum based on an upper gastrointestinal contrast examination performed when he was 30 years old. He had not received treatment because he was asymptomatic. Eight months earlier, he experienced chest discomfort after eating and visited our hospital. The diameter of his middle esophageal diverticulum was 47 mm. A gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a diverticulum in the right wall located 30 cm from the incisor row. The pathological findings of the endoscopic biopsy were atypical epithelium and no malignant findings. We confirmed the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, and the esophageal body peristaltic wave was observed to be normal using high-resolution manometry. We decided to perform a thoracoscopic diverticulectomy based on his symptoms and the possibility of malignancy suggested by the atypical epithelium. Surgery was performed with the patient in a prone position via 4 ports, and intraoperative endoscopy was performed during the surgery. To achieve a complete resection of the diverticulum, threads were placed on the oral and anal sides of the diverticulum, the threads were pulled, and the diverticulum was resected using an automatic suturing device.

A postoperative upper gastrointestinal contrast examination revealed no abnormalities. He was discharged on postoperative day 12.

Conclusions

During thoracoscopic surgery for middle esophageal diverticulum, we think that pulling and separating the diverticulum and confirming the lumen using endoscopy are useful for reducing the risk of postoperative recurrence and stenosis. Few reports of long-term performance after surgery have been made for this procedure. Therefore, we believe that long-term follow-up is necessary.

Esophageal diverticulum serves as a unique cause of bronchoesophageal fistula in children: A case report

RATIONALE

Most of the esophageal diverticulums are congenital traction instead of in childhood. In most conditions, esophageal diverticulums are free of any symptoms. As one of the rare entity, esophageal diverticulum can also result in bronchoesophageal fistula.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 10-year-old girl was admitted due to a 2-month history of cough and choking after drinking, and fever for 3 days. No symptoms when taking solid food were found.

DIAGNOSES

By esophagogram, 3-dimensional computed tomography and esophagoscopy, an esophageal diverticulum was demonstrated in the middle esophagus with a bronchoesophageal fistula visualized. Then the diagnoses of esophageal diverticulum and bronchoesophageal fistula were established.

INTERVENTIONS

A regular trans-anterolateral thoracotomy was carried out under general anesthesia with patient lying on the right side. The diverticulum was then removed and the fistulous tract was closed.

OUTCOMES

The girl discharged on the 14th postoperative day and received a regular monthly follow-up, at present, no recurrence was found.

LESSONS

Bronchoesophageal fistula may be a complication of esophageal diverticula, and should be considered in cases of unexplained cough or recurrent pneumonia.

Surgical management of acquired tracheo/bronchoesophageal fistula associated with esophageal diverticulum

Background

The reports on acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) or bronchoesophageal fistulas (BEFs) associated with traction esophageal diverticula (TED) are rare. Here, we present our experience of six cases.

Methods

Between Jan. 2015 and Jun. 2016, 6 patients were admitted to our department for TEF/BEFs combined with esophageal diverticula. Clinical data of the 6 patients were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

All orifices of TEF/BEF in the esophagus side opened at the diverticula wall. The orifices in the airway side were 2 at the carina and 4 at the right intermediate bronchus. All six patients received the same intervention: a limited diverticulectomy with the fistula resection was done in the esophagus; separate layers of repair were performed for the defect in the esophagus; the muscle flap interposition was used in all six cases. All postoperative courses were uneventful. No recurrence fistula and symptomatic diverticula occurred. The airway and esophagus were patency during a median of 9-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Acquired TEF/BEFs caused by esophageal diverticula can be treated successfully by surgery. A limited diverticulectomy is sufficient to ensure enough esophagus remodeling.

Keywords

Tracheo/bronchoesophageal fistula (TEF/BEF); esophagus diverticulum; acquired.

Simultaneously occurring Zenker's diverticulum and Killian-Jamieson diverticulum: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Pharyngoesophageal diverticula have many subtypes, with Zenker's diverticulum being the most common. First described in 1983, a Killian-Jamieson diverticulum is an outpouching in the anterolateral wall at the pharyngoesophageal junction. This is located inferiorly to the cricopharyngeus muscle, unlike Zenker's diverticula which occur superiorly. Killian-Jamieson diverticula are rare and are commonly misdiagnosed as Zenker's diverticula. Less than 30 reports of Killian-Jamieson diverticula have been described in the literature.

CASE REPORT

A 69-year-old man presented with a 2-year symptomatic history, and was found to have simultaneous Zenker's diverticulum and Killian-Jamieson diverticulum. He was treated successfully with open surgical excision of both pouches.

CONCLUSION

Zenker's diverticulum and Killian-Jamieson diverticulum are diagnosed using radiological studies and endoscopy. Their differentiation is important, as surgical management differs. This paper reviews the literature on Killian-Jamieson diverticula and the management options available.

Killian-Jamieson diverticulitis with cervical cellulitis: report of a case

A Killian-Jamieson (K-J) diverticulum is an uncommon hypopharyngeal diverticulum related to the better-recognized Zenker's diverticulum. Cervical cellulitis due to K-J diverticulitis is also highly exceptional. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with cervical cellulitis caused by K-J diverticulitis. The cellulitis was cured by the administration of an antibiotic agent. The patient underwent a resection of the K-J diverticulum 2 months after the cellulitis was cured. The cervical diverticulum was judged to be a K-J diverticulum because the diverticulum prolapsed laterally just below the cricopharyngeus muscle on the esophagogram. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve adhered to the proximity of the orifice of the diverticulum. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was carefully preserved before the resection of the diverticulum. Accurate differential diagnosis between K-J and Zenker's diverticula is necessary before surgery to preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication combined with laparoscopic diverticular introversion suturing for achalasia complicated by epiphrenic diverticulum: report of a case

A 41-year-old woman was admitted due to dysphagia and weight loss of 6 kg. An upper gastrointestinal radiographic contrast study demonstrated an S-shaped lower esophagus with a peak transverse diameter of 65 mm. Moreover, an epiphrenic diverticulum was also detected in the lower part of the esophagus (50 x 40 mm). The measurement of intraesophageal pressure showed a lower esophageal sphincter pressure of 80 mmHg and a lower esophageal sphincter length of 31 mm. Esophageal clearance assessment via a timed barium esophagogram demonstrated impaired contrast clearance, with a rate of 26% at 5 min. A laparoscopic Heller myotomy, Dor fundoplication, and diverticular introversion suturing were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on day 4. At the 2-year follow-up, no dysphagia was present. This is the first report of a laparoscopic diverticuloplasty using an introversion buried suture with a Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for achalasia complicated by an epiphrenic diverticulum.