Clinical and Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Esophageal Diverticula Mimicking a Thyroid Nodule

Clinical and Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Esophageal Diverticula Mimicking a Thyroid Nodule

Recently, detection of esophageal diverticula by neck ultrasonography has been increasing. In particular, esophageal diverticula near the thyroid gland can be diagnosed as thyroid nodule on ultrasonography. To date, 13 cases of ultrasonographic features of Killian-Jamieson (K-J) diverticula have been reported. We report on four cases of K-J diverticula and discuss clinical characteristics, including ultrasonographic findings, in comparison with previously reported cases. Awareness of ultrasonographic finding of esophageal diverticula, a hypoechoic nodule containing echogenic foci found in the posterolateral aspect of the thyroid, is most important for making a differential diagnosis of K-J diverticulum from a thyroid nodule.