[Cricoid calcification in the study of esophageal foreign bodies]

Lateral radiography of the neck is performed for the study of radio-opaque esophageal foreign bodies that are not visualized by indirect laryngoscopy. This projection may reveal a calcified linear image behind the cricoid cartilage due to calcification of the posterior lamina. In such cases, esophagoscopy and/or computed tomography must be performed to determine whether the image is due to an anatomic variant or a true foreign body.