Not all pharyngeal pouches are created equal: management of “non-zenker” hypopharyngeal diverticula

Zenker diverticulum is the most common hypopharyngeal diverticulum. Alternate types of hypopharyngeal diverticula are uncommon; however, recognition and proper diagnosis is imperative, as treatment may be quite different. Hypopharyngeal diverticula are typically diagnosed using barium esophagography and differences between types of diverticula can be subtle. Although endoscopic management of Zenker Diverticula has become very popular recently, endoscopic exposure of other hypopharyngeal diverticula is not as straightforward. In this article, traction, iatrogenic, Killian-Jamieson, and Laimer diverticula would be discussed. Treatment options for each would also be explored and compared with treatment of the more common Zenker diverticulum.