Medical Image Compression Using JPEG Progressive Coding

The international standard for digital compression and coding of continuous-tone still images known as JPEG(Joint Photographic Experts Groups) standard is implemented and tested for medical image archiving and communication. For a series of head sections of magnetic resonance images, compression ratio of about 10 is obtained without noticeable image degradation. Compared to existing full-frame bit-allocation technique, the JPEG standard achieves higher compression with higher signal-tc-noise ratio. The reconstructed images by the JPEG standard slao show much less Gibb’s artifact. Feature of the progressive image build-up of the JPEG progressive coding appears useful in medical image archiving and communication where fast search of image from huge image data base and urgent diagnosis from remote site are often in need.