Image Data Compression in Diagnostic Imaging: International Literature Review and Workflow Recommendation

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Hochvolumige Datensätze der bildgebenden Diagnostik (Direktradiografie, Multi-Slice-CT etc.) sichern die diagnostische Betreuung. Die bildgebende Diagnostik hat als Querschnittsfach Schrittmacherfunktion für effektive Workflow-Szenarien übernommen. Für ein effektives Datenmanagement sind hierfür seit Jahren Konzepte zur Datenkompression diskutiert worden. Im Februar 2008 hat eine Konsensuskonferenz der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft stattgefunden. Es wurden einzelne Datenkompressionstechniken, Kompressionsfaktoren und deren Organbezug tabellarisch als Empfehlung zusammengestellt. Material und Methoden: Unsere Arbeit gibt eine Gesamtübersicht über den Literaturstand zur Datenkompression, Technologie (JPEG und JPEG 2000) und Organbezug und analysiert unterschiedliche Workflow-Szenarien. Dies war Grundlage der Konsensuskonferenz. Die Studien wurden in 4 Level (0 – 3) in Abhängigkeit zu ihrer Evidenz eingeteilt. Für den höchsten Level 3 konnten 51 Studien ausgewertet werden. Ergebnisse: Mit Ausnahme der Schädel-CT wird ein einheitlicher Kompressionsfaktor von 1 : 8 empfohlen. Schädel-CT können ohne diagnostischen Qualitätsverlust mit einem Kompressionswert von 1:5 komprimiert werden. Aus Workflow-Sicht empfehlen wir, Kompressionen an den Modalitäten (CT etc.) vorzunehmen. PACS-basierte Kompressionen sind jedoch derzeit üblich. In diesen Fällen werden allerdings nicht alle Workflow-Vorteile genutzt. Schlussfolgerung: Aus der Literaturübersicht hinsichtlich Technik, Organbezug und unserer Empfehlung zum Workflow ergibt sich die Forderung an die Industrie, die bildgebenden Modalitäten mit einem Kompressionsfilter auszustatten. Es gilt, dass grundsätzlich pro Bilddatensatz nur einmal komprimiert wird.

Abstract

Purpose: Today healthcare policy is based on effectiveness. Diagnostic imaging became a ”pacesetter” due to amazing technical developments (e. g. multislice CT), extensive data volumes, and especially the well defined workflow-orientated scenarios on a local and (inter)national level. To make centralized networks sufficient, image data compression has been regarded as the key to a simple and secure solution. In February 2008 specialized working groups of the DRG held a consensus conference. They designed recommended data compression techniques and ratios. Material und Methoden: The purpose of our paper is an international review of the literature of compression technologies, different imaging procedures (e. g. DR, CT etc.), and targets (abdomen, etc.) and to combine recommendations for compression ratios and techniques with different workflows. The studies were assigned to 4 different levels (0 – 3) according to the evidence. 51 studies were assigned to the highest level 3. Results: We recommend a compression factor of 1 : 8 (excluding cranial scans 1:5). For workflow reasons data compression should be based on the modalities (CT, etc.). PACS-based compression is currently possible but fails to maximize workflow benefits. Only the modality-based scenarios achieve all benefits. Conclusion: Imaging equipment manufacturers are encouraged to improve the compression technology of their imaging devices (e. g. freely selectable compression ratios in the output filter). Double compression should be strictly avoided. Lossless compression formats should be switched off.

Key words

compression - wavelet - jpeg 2000 - image data - workflow - image device

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