The "sign of the rising tide" during swallowing fiberoscopy: a specific manifestation of Zenker's diverticulum.

Pooling of secretions in the hypopharynx is a common sign of an impaired upper esophageal sphincter. Until now, no specific manifestation, observed by flexible laryngoscopy, of Zenker's diverticulum has been reported. Direct visualization of the diverticulum can be missed during flexible laryngoscopic examination. In this series of 12 patients with hypopharyngeal diverticulum, we have described a manifestation of Zenker's diverticulum obtained on videofiberoscopy during cream swallowing. We have called it the "sign of the rising tide" because it describes the backup of cream visible in the hypopharynx as a wave after its complete disappearance. Barium swallow study is necessary to confirm the presumptive diagnosis. This relevant manifestation seems to be specific for Zenker's diverticulum, since it is not observed in other upper esophageal sphincter disorders, and it disappears when surgical treatment is successful.