Esophageal diverticula: pathogenesis, clinical aspects, and natural history.

It has been gradually accepted that esophageal diverticula result from esophageal motor disorders rather than from primary anatomic abnormalities. Twenty-seven patients with these diverticula were evaluated with respect to pathogenesis, clinical aspects, diagnostic tests, therapy, and natural history for a mean of 27 months of followup. Thirteen diverticula were midesophageal, 11 were situated in the distal third of the esophagus, and 3 were in both regions.