Imaging description

By CT a traction diverticulum has the nonspecific appearance of a paraesophageal barium, air, or fluid collection. Traction diverticula typically arise from the mid esophagus, at the level of the carina, in association with calcified mediastinal lymph nodes (Figure 38.1). Unlike typically rounded pulsion diverticula, traction diverticula are often triangular [1].

Importance

Diverticula of the thoracic esophagus are classified by their location and their etiology [2]. Traction diverticula typically arise in the mid esophagus. A traction diverticulum includes the mucosal, submucosal, and muscular layers of the esophagus; it results from the pull (traction) of an adjacent mediastinal scar, such as those resulting from granulomatous infection. Traction diverticula are less common than pulsion diverticula of the distal esophagus that form when the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus protrude through a muscular defect.