Medical image steganographic algorithm via modified LSB method and chaotic map

Many methods of hiding information in an image are existing now. The least significant bit is the famous method used in steganographic algorithms. Medical image steganography is a technique used to make the transmission of these images secure so that the decision of the Specialist physician based on these images is not affected. In this paper, medical image steganographic algorithm using modified least significant bit and chaotic map is proposed. The main problem is that the selection of embedding pixels within the host image is not protected enough in most existing methods. So, the author used two-dimensional piecewise smooth chaotic map to select the positions of these pixels randomly. On the other hand, all bits in the secret medical image are transmitted without losing any bit. To do that, the secret medical image is encrypted using one-dimensional piecewise chaotic map (Tent map). Then, the steganographic algorithm is used to hide the bits of the encrypted secret medical image. The bits of each embedded pixel are shuffled before the embedding pro-cess randomly. After that, the stego image is created. The host image and stego image are analysed with the peak signal-to-noise ratio, the mean square error, histogram test, image quality measure and relative entropy test. The stego image displays acceptable result when comparing with the host image. Also, the chi-square attack test is performed and the stego image can resist it. The proposed algorithm can assist the sending of medical images via communication media.