Visualisation of the intralaryngeal joints: a low voltage radiological study

Low-voltage radiography of the neck was adjusted for visualisation of the crico-arytenoid joints. Sixty-four patients (48 males, 16 females) with laryngeal tumours were examined. The degree of ossification in the laryngeal cartilage around the crico-arytenoid joints was different in the males and the females. All males had ossification in the plate of the cricoid, and 94% in the arytenoids. The articular facets on the cricoid were visible in 94%, and on the arytenoid in 85%. All females had ossification in the arytenoids, and 94% in the plate of the cricoid. The articular facets on the arytenoids were visible in all females, and on the cricoid in 88%. One or both articular facets in the crico-arytenoid joints were visible in all patients, making the method useful in detecting erosive arthritis in the joints.