The document outlines the pre-processing techniques in medical image computing, particularly focusing on diffusion-based smoothing and intensity inhomogeneity correction in MRI. It discusses Perona-Malik's anisotropic diffusion method aimed at preserving edges while smoothing images and explores various intensity inhomogeneity correction methods that address challenges in MRI segmentation and analysis. The document also compares prospective and retrospective approaches for correcting these artifacts, emphasizing the need for automated solutions without user intervention.