An introduction to wavelet theory and application for the radiological physicist

The wavelet transform, part of a rapidly advancing new area of mathematics, has become an important technique for image compression, noise suppression, and feature extraction. As a result, the radiological physicist can expect to be confronted with elements of wavelet theory as diagnostic radiology advances into teleradiology, PACS, and computer aided feature extraction and diagnosis. With this in mind we present a primer on wavelet theory geared specifically for the radiological physicist. The mathematical treatment is free of the details of mathematical rigor, which are found in most other treatments of the subject and which are of little interest to physicists, yet is sufficient to convey a reasonably deep working knowledge of wavelet theory. (C) 1998 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. [S0094-2405(98)01910-5].