Abstract: Objective　To evaluate the accuracy of dual-source CT and quantitative coronary artery calcification based on the pathological diagnosis.　Methods　Coronary arteries were scanned by contrasted-enhanced DSCT with an axial slice thickness of 0.6mm in vitro. The plaque with computed tomographic value more than 130 Hounsfield units was identified as calcified plaque. According to the arc of calcification in the cross section of coronary artery wall, calcified plaques can be divided as follows: mild calcification, moderate calcification, severe calcification. The coronary artery stenosis caused by calcified plaque was calculated. Pathological classification and coronary artery stenosis measured by pathology were used as comparison criteria.　Results　Histopathology detected 69 calcified plaques. 57 calcified plaques were found at DSCT. The sensitivity of DSCT for detecting mild、moderate and severe calcified plaques were 88.3%、100% and 100%, respectively. Compared with pathological diagnosis, DSCT overestimated coronary artery stenosis caused by mild, moderate and severe calcified plaques (3.2%±2.0%, 4.9%±4.7% and 14.7%±8.2%, respectively; P<0.05).　Conclusions Compared with histopathology, dual-source CT contrast enhancement scanning can detect and characterize different types of coronary artery calcification. Compared with histopathology dual source CT overestimates coronary artery stenosis caused by calcified plaque.

Key words: Dual-source computer tomography, 　Coronary artery calcification, 　Histopathology