Evaluation of laryngeal calcium deposition: a new methodology

Despite study for over 100 years, sites and patterns of laryngeal calcification and ossification are understood incompletely. Methodologies used in the past have included radiographic imaging and histologic staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Investigation of this subject offers potential application in the correlation of laryngeal disease with loss of normal calcification patterns. A technique for the detection of calcium deposition in human larynges, formerly used only in staining bony and cartilaginous tissue of small vertebrates, is described. This technique offers the advantage of whole organ staining and provides a sensitive means of determining degree and pattern of laryngeal calcification. The results of our pilot investigation with photographic examples are presented.