Effect of image compression on telepathology. A randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT

For practitioners deploying store-and-forward telepathology systems, optimization methods such as image compression need to be studied.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPG or JPEG) compression, a glossy image compression algorithm, negatively affects the accuracy of diagnosis in telepathology.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING

University-based pathology departments.

PARTICIPANTS

Resident and staff pathologists at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

INTERVENTION

Compression of raw images using the JPEG algorithm.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Image acceptability, accuracy of diagnosis, confidence level of pathologist, image quality.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy between noncompressed (bit map) and compressed (JPG) images. There were also no differences in the acceptability, confidence level, and perception of image quality. Additionally, rater experience did not significantly correlate with degree of accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

For providers practicing telepathology, JPG image compression does not negatively affect the accuracy and confidence level of diagnosis. The acceptability and quality of images were also not affected.