Dysphagia in oesophageal intramural pseudo-diverticulosis: fibrosis, dysmotility or web?

We describe two cases of oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis associ ated with a cervical oesophageal web presenting as intermittent dysphagia. In both cases, disruption of the web endoscopically resulted in lasting rel ief from symptoms. This observation, together with a review of the literatu re written during the past 39 years, suggests that oesophageal web formatio n may be underreported in this condition and may be more important than eit her dysmotility or submucosal fibrosis and stricturing in the aetiology of the dysphagia seen in these patients. All patients with a radiological diag nosis of oesophageal intramural pseudo-diverticulosis should have an endosc opic examination which may be both diagnostic and potentially therapeutic. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:1331-1333 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wil kins.