Guidewire-assisted technique for gastroscope insertion through stricture of Zenkerʼs diverticulum for esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection

A 65-year-old asymptomatic man underwent screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy before treatment for tongue cancer. Standard gastroscopes (GIF-H290Z and GIF-H290; Olympus) could not pass through the cervical esophagus. However, an ultra-slim gastroscope (GIF-XP290N; Olympus) was able to pass through and revealed a Zenkerʼs diverticulum ([Fig. 1 a, b]). A superficial esophageal cancer was detected in the upper thoracic esophagus ([Fig. 2]). Biopsy specimens from the lesion showed squamous cell carcinoma. The patient opted for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which requires standard gastroscope insertion ([Video 1]).

Fig. 1 a, b Zenkerʼs diverticulum on the left wall of the cervical esophagus.

Fig. 2 A slightly elevated iodine-unstained lesion in the esophagus on the anal side of the Zenkerʼs diverticulum.

Video 1 Demonstration of guidewire-assisted technique for standard gastroscope insertion through Zenker's diverticulum for esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

An ultra-slim gastroscope was introduced through the stricture of the Zenkerʼs diverticulum. A 0.035-inch guidewire (Hydra Jagwire; Boston Scientific Corporation, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA) was advanced and kept in the stomach through the accessory channel of the ultra-slim gastroscope after its withdrawal ([Fig. 3]). Subsequently, a straight catheter was placed in the accessory channel of the standard gastroscope. The guidewire was inserted from the tip of the gastroscope through the catheter in a retrograde fashion. This procedure allowed for scope exchange. The standard gastroscope passed the stricture of the diverticulum through the guidewire, but the gastroscope was not able to pass through even with an endoscopic cap. Thus, ESD was performed without the endoscopic cap using ESD knives (Dual Knife J and IT-knife nano; Olympus). The lesion was successfully resected en bloc uneventfully ([Fig. 4], [Fig. 5]).

Fig. 3 A 0.035-inch guidewire was advanced and kept in the stomach through the accessory channel of the ultra-slim gastroscope and the gastroscope withdrawn.

Fig. 4 Endoscopic peripheral markings were performed around the lesion.

Fig. 5 The lesion was resected en bloc uneventfully.

Zenkerʼs diverticulum is a rare anatomic defect characterized by herniation of the mucosa and submucosa through the Killian triangle located in the esophageal cervical region. They are usually asymptomatic, but dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, and stricture may occur as the diverticulum expands. Endoscopic diverticulotomy has been indicated for symptomatic Zenkerʼs diverticulum [1] [2]. In our case, the standard gastroscope could access the lesion beyond the Zenkerʼs diverticulum, and ESD was performed without endoscopic diverticulotomy. We demonstrate a method that could be utilized for advanced endoscopy in patients with asymptomatic Zenkerʼs diverticulum [3].

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AO_2AH

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Ishioka S, Sakai P, Maluf Filho F. et al. Endoscopic incision of Zenkerʼs diverticula. Endoscopy 1995; 27: 433-437
• 2 Verdonck J, Morton RP. Systematic review on treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2015; 272: 3095-3107
• 3 Kadish SL, Faigel DO, Long WB. Safe duodenoscopic intubation in a patient with a large Zenkerʼs diverticulum. Gastrointest Endosc 1996; 44: 101-102

Publication History

Article published online:
02 July 2021