A contrast enhancement algorithm in the DCT domain with reduced artifacts for cancer detection

Abstract

Current DCT based image enhancement techniques will produce heavy artifacts when the enhancement factors are increased. In order to attack this issue, in this paper, we develop a new image enhancement algorithm in the DCT domain for radiologists to screen mammograms. In the proposed algorithm, with a given target contrast value and visual quality requirement, genetic algorithm is used to search the optimal parameter setting for image enhancement. The new image enhancement algorithm can reduce the artifact introduced by the enhancement effectively. Both objective test and subjective test were used to verify the proposed algorithm. The experimental results show that the enhanced images have reduced artifacts and better visual quality.