Lossy compression should not be used in certain imaging applications such as chest radiography. Against the proposition.

Computational techniques are frequently used to compress image data so that transmission and storage requirements are reduced. If the computational techniques result in no loss in image resolution, the technique is referred to as lossless compression. Greater compression of data may yield some loss in spatial or temporal resolution, and is referred to as lossy compression. In some radiologic examinations [e.g., gastrointestinal (GI) studies], some resolution loss may be tolerable, whereas in others (chest examinations and mammography) it conceivably could result in missed pathology. Without lossy compression, however, data requirements can be overwhelming for transmission, storage and retrieval of images such as chest films. The unanswered question, addressed in this Point/Counterpoint issue, is whether some degree of lossy compression can be tolerated in chest radiography.