MASSIVE BLEEDING FROM A ZENKERS DIVERTICULUM - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEWOF THE LITERATURE

Zenker's diverticulum is an unusual site of origin for clinically sign ificant upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Only three such cases have been previously documented. We report a case of massive upper gastroin testinal bleeding from a Zenker's diverticulum seen as hemoptysis and associated with chronic ingestion of one aspirin tablet every other da y. Because of the propensity for ingested tablets to lodge in the dive rticulum, caution is urged when prescribing ulcerogenic agents in pill form to a patient with a known Zenker's diverticulum.