1. A method for quantifying calcification, comprising the steps of: (a) identifying a calcium fragment in an image; (b) determining the average intensity and volume for said calcium fragment as a function of a plurality of intensity thresholds; (c) calculating brightness volume products defined as the product of said determined average intensity and said determined volume for each of said plurality of intensity thresholds; and (d) obtaining the mass of said calcium segment from said calculated brightness volume products extrapolated at zero intensity and reference calcium parameters.