• Hyun-Woo Shin, Youngjin Ahn, Myung-Whun Sung, Kwang Hyun Kim, and Tack-Kyun Kwon.
• Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
• Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn. 2009 Apr 1;118(4):253-8.

ObjectivesWe measured the cross-sectional dimensions of the cricoid cartilage and degrees of ossification of the marrow space for designing a cricoid implant.MethodsWe reviewed 100 age- and sex-matched neck computed tomography scans that were performed at Seoul National University Hospital from 2001 to 2005. Under a standardized computed tomography window setting, the height of the cricoid cartilage marrow and the thickness of the marrow space and the ossified inner and outer cortices were measured by one observer.ResultsThe mean height of the cricoid cartilage marrow was 13.6 mm (range, 5.5 to 20.5 mm) in women and 17.5 mm (range, 13.0 to 24.5 mm) in men. The mean thickness of the cricoid cartilage marrow was 3.17 mm (range, 1.22 to 4.75 mm) in women and 5.13 mm (range, 3.42 to 7.60 mm) in men. We also observed that women in general have a higher density of the cricoid marrow than men; 4 women and 1 man had a markedly denser marrow space. There were individual variations in size and density of the cricoid marrow.ConclusionsHuman adult cricoid cartilages have sufficient marrow space for cricoid implantation. Preoperative evaluation of the size and density of the cricoid marrow is recommended for individual application of the cricoid implant.

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