Abstract:Vascular calcification is an ectopic calcification phenomenon caused by excessive deposition of calcium salts in the vascular wall. This pathological manifestation is common in diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic renal insufficiency; it is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Current computed tomography ( CT ) techniques can completely reconstruct calcified arteries and provide accurate quantitative information. High resolution micro-CT can distinguish and quantify areas of macroscopic and microscopic vascular calcification. CT combined with 18F-sodium Flfluoride ( 18F-NaF) micro-PET/ CT can enhance the detection of microcalcification in vivo and aid in understanding the roles of signaling pathways and drugs in the development of vascular calcification. Furthermore, three-dimensional micro-CT can be combined with histopathological, immunohistochemical, and proteomic analysis method to provide complementary information regarding a single vascular segment. Advances in micro-CT techniques may provide additional method for the analysis of vascular calcification in animals in vivo.