CARDIOSPASM AND CONCOMITANT ESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM

Abstract

As the occurrence of either cardiospasm or diverticulum of the esophagus is relatively infrequent, the existence of the two conditions in the same individual is rather unusual. Dessecker1states that, in eight cases of diverticulum of the lower third of the esophagus, cardiospasm was found in five; and he believes that even when it is absent, a careful history may reveal symptoms of spasm at some time. The accumulation of food in a spot weakened congenitally, or by traction from cicatrices, is thought to be a causative factor. A further contributing factor, he believes, is the negative pressure of air in the thorax as affecting that in the esophagus. Vinson2has reported two cases of diverticulum of the middle third of the esophagus associated with cardiospasm. The case here reported presents the very unusual condition of pulsion diverticulum of the upper end of the esophagus with concomitant cardiospasm.