An Integrated and Efficient Approach for Enhanced Medical Image Compression using SPIHT and LZW Coding

This paper proposes the efficient medical image compression as a combined approach of SPIHT and Lempel Ziv Welch coding. This novel method consists of steps such as splitting the image into bit planes and enhancing each bit plane image using the histogram equalization technique, and then it is decomposed by using 2D Fast wavelet transform and gets compressed by the Set Partitioning in Hierarichal tress algorithm. The SPIHT algorithm results in a large amount of seriate ‘0’ situation. Hence finally it is again encoded with the effective LZW technique to improve the compression ratio and also to increase the picture to signal noise ratio. This combined approach is applied for both colour & gray scale images which also helps in increasing the quality of picture.