Adaptive Histogram Equalization For Automatic Contrast Enhancement Of Medical Images

Stephen M. Pizer; John D. Austin; John R. Perry.; Hal D. Safrit; John B. Zimmerman

doi:10.1117/12.975399

12 June 1986 Adaptive Histogram Equalization For Automatic Contrast Enhancement Of Medical Images

Stephen M. Pizer, John D. Austin, John R. Perry., Hal D. Safrit, John B. Zimmerman

Proceedings Volume 0626, Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine XIV and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975399
Event: Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine XIV and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS IV) for Medical Applications, 1986, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

With the large number of images that will be viewed simultaneously in a medical picture archiving and communication system (PACS) system in the diagnosis of a particular patient, image by image interactive contrast enhancement, at present by intensity windowing, becomes unacceptably time-consuming. Furthermore, windowing has disadvantages of being non-reproducible and providing adequate contrast primarily in selected image regions. The method of adaptive histogram equalization (ahe) appears to provide a solution to these problems. It is reproducible, automatic, and simultaneously provides contrast in all image regions. After summarizing the basic method, this paper will 1) describe a new contrast limited form of ahe that appears to allow its application to a wide variety of medical images, 2) present a VLSI machine design that will allow the calculation of ahe in a fraction of a second per megapixel, and 3) report the results of a study demonstrating that for chest CT images, ahe provides no measurable loss of diagnostic performance compared to the now standard windowing.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen M. Pizer, John D. Austin, John R. Perry., Hal D. Safrit, and John B. Zimmerman "Adaptive Histogram Equalization For Automatic Contrast Enhancement Of Medical Images", Proc. SPIE 0626, Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine XIV and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems, (12 June 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975399

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