More than 50 patients with various lesions of the upper respiratory tract and two healthy volunteers were studied roentgenographically using powdered tantalum (1μ to 5μ) insufflated via catheter or intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus, or both, after topical anesthesia with 5% cocaine and premedication with intramuscular atropine sulfate. Single frame and cine-radiographic studies demonstrated details of airway mucosa and were of assistance in deciding the appropriate course of therapy in most patients. Powdered tantalum may be an ideal radio-opaque contrast material in radiography of the upper respiratory tract and has potential as a research and clinical tool in otolaryngology.