Thickness-equalization processing for mammographic images

Abstract

A digital postprocessing technique was used to compensate for the limitations of laser film or cathode-ray-tube devices used to display digital mammograms. An algorithm identified and equalized for the large change in digital signal caused by the reduction in thickness at the margin of the compressed breast. The resulting images reflected only breast composition, and so the number of gray levels needed to display the processed image was greatly reduced, which facilitated presentation and analysis.