Diverticulum - Pathological

Pathological

• Bladder diverticulum: Balloon-like growths on the bladder commonly associated with a chronic outflow obstruction, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia in older males. Usually found in pairs on opposite sides of the bladder, bladder diverticula are often surgically removed to prevent infection, rupture, or even cancer.
• Cardiac diverticulum: A very rare congenital malformation of the heart that is usually benign
• Colonic diverticula: These can become infected (see diverticulitis) and can perforate, requiring surgery
• Diverticulum of Kommerell: unusual nomenclature, in that focal dilatations of a blood vessel are properly referred to as aneurysms
• Duodenal and jejunal diverticul(um|a): congenital lesions, may be a source of bacterial overgrowth, may perforate and may result in abscesses
• Epiphrenic diverticulum: due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, as in achalasia

Diverticula may occur in one of the three areas of the esophagus - the pharyngoesophageal, the midesophageal area or the epiphrenic area of esophagus. Zenker's diverticulum is found three times more frequently in men than in women. It occurs posteriorly through the cricopharyngeal muscle in the midline of the neck. Usually seen in people older than 60 years of age.

• Gastric diverticulae - "Although usually asymptomatic, they may cause vague epigastric pain. These lesions may be confused radiologically for gastric ulcers or cancers. Endoscopically, they may be confused for paraesophageal hernias."
• Killian-Jamieson diverticulum
• Meckel's diverticulum: a persistent portion of the omphalomesenteric duct present in 2% of the population
• Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses: in the gallbladder due to chronic cholecystitis
• Traction esophageal diverticulum: due to scarring from mediastinal or pulmonary tuberculosis
• Urethral diverticulum: congenital in males, post-infectious in females
• Zenker's diverticulum: a diverticulum of the mucosa of the pharynx affecting adults

Most of these pathological types of diverticulum are capable of harboring an enterolith. If the enterolith stays in place, it may cause no problems, but a large enterolith expelled from a diverticulum into the lumen can cause obstruction.