Establishing perceptual criteria on image quality in diagnostic telepathology

Abstract

The potential of lossy image compression is investigated in a well defined task domain, specifically, clinical assessment of chromatic, surgical and hematopathology specimens. Two criteria were employed, just noticeable difference and largest tolerable distortion. Compression tolerances differed among pathologists, but conformed to well defined upper and lower limits. The level of tolerable compression was significantly larger for the second criterion. It is concluded that lossy image compression is feasible for diagnostic pathology and may hold promise for telepathology applications.