Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

Zenker’s Diverticulum Specialist

Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC Our Services Zenker’s Diverticulum

Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC

Gastroenterology and Endoscopy located in Peoria, AZ & Scottsdale, AZ

If you often choke or regurgitate your food when eating, it may be due to Zenker’s diverticulum. At Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC, with offices in Peoria, Scottsdale, and Phoenix, Arizona, Teodor Pitea, MD, and Rawad Mounzer, MD, offer comprehensive care for swallowing problems like Zenker’s diverticulum. The team uses advanced upper endoscopy technology to confirm diverticulum that blocks your throat and provides minimally invasive surgeries to remove the abnormal pouches. To find out more about diagnostic testing for Zenker’s diverticulum, book an appointment online or call the Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC office nearest you today.

Zenker’s Diverticulum Q&A

What is Zenker’s diverticulum?

Zenker’s diverticulum is an abnormal pouch that forms in your throat at the beginning of your digestive tract and above your upper esophageal sphincter (UES).

This pouch forms because of an abnormal tightening of your UES. The tightening causes pressure to build up along the wall of your throat every time you swallow and creates a weak point in your throat wall where the diverticulum forms.

Zenker’s diverticulum makes it difficult to pass liquids and food into your esophagus. Food may instead move into the pouch or back into your throat, causing recurrent regurgitation.

When should I seek treatment for Zenker’s diverticulum?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation for Zenker’s diverticulum with the team at Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC if you have difficulty swallowing or feel like food continually gets stuck in your throat.

Other common signs of Zenker’s diverticulum that need evaluation include:

  • Coughing
  • Choking
  • Bad breath
  • Regurgitation of food
  • Unexplained weight loss

As the diverticulum grows bigger over time, your symptoms may become more severe and need medical attention.

How is Zenker’s diverticulum diagnosed?

The providers at Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC offer upper endoscopy procedures on-site to confirm Zenker’s diverticulum and customize a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.

They insert a scope with an attached camera through your mouth to view the inner structures of your gastrointestinal tract. The camera sends real-time images of the tract to an external monitor, so your provider can identify the root cause of your swallowing issues.

How is Zenker’s diverticulum treated?

The team at Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC focuses on relieving any obstructions in your throat to improve your swallowing.

Generally, surgery is necessary to remove a large diverticulum. The providers can perform minimally invasive endoscopic procedures that require only small incisions to remove the pouch.

A common procedure for Zenker’s diverticulum involves an endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy. During this procedure, your surgeon cuts the UES muscle to clear obstructions.

Your provider remodels your esophageal structure to ensure you can easily swallow fluids and food without them building up in the diverticulum.

To find out more about available treatment options for Zenker’s diverticulum, call the Interventional Endoscopy Associates PLLC office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

What we offer

Services