Anterior neopharyngeal pseudodiverticulum - A possible cause of dysphagia in laryngectomized patients

Anterior neopharyngeal pseudodiverticula are out-pouchings of the neopharyn geal lumen in laryngectomized patients which can cause postoperative dyspha gia. In this study 20 laryngectomized patients were examined endoscopically and with barium swallow to determine the frequency of pseudodiverticulum f ormation, the correlation with clinical symptoms, and to evaluate the best modality for diagnosis. In 12 patients an anterior neopharyngeal pseudodive rticulum was present. Of these patients eight complained of dysphagia. The barium swallow short ed more clearly the pseudodiverticula than laryngoscop y and gave additional information of functional implications. All symptomat ic patients were successfully operated on with endoscopic laser therapy. (C ) Elsevier Science Inc., 1999.