Lateral pharyngeal diverticulum: a report of 3 cases.

Pharyngocele, or lateral pharyngeal diverticulum (LPD), is rare, as only a few cases have been described. This condition is characterized by local bulging in the piriform recess or in a vallecula. The diagnosis, which is clinically difficult, is made by barium-swallow examination of the pharynx. Surgical repair is indicated when symptoms are present. We report 3 new cases of LPD, and we discuss the etiology and clinical features of this entity. We also present a short review of the literature.