Digital Mammography
Low-dose X-ray optimized for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
What is Mammo?
Mammography compresses the breast and captures low-dose X-ray images to detect microcalcifications and masses.
How it works: Two orthogonal views per breast are obtained; tomosynthesis (3D) can reduce tissue overlap.
Common Uses of Mammo
Screening in average/high risk women
Annual or biennial depending on age/risk.
Diagnostic workup of lumps
Characterize masses and microcalcifications.
Advantages
- ✓Proven mortality reduction in screening
- ✓Detects microcalcifications early
- ✓Widely available
Limitations
- ⚠Discomfort from compression
- ⚠Ionizing radiation (low dose)
- ⚠Less sensitive in dense breasts (may need US/MRI)
Preparation Checklist
0 of 3 completed
⚖️Mammo vs Ultrasound
| Criteria | Mammo | Ultrasound |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Moderate | Moderate |
| Radiation | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Tissue Detail | Limited | Limited |
| Cost | High | Low |
Related Imaging Modalities
Breast ultrasound or MRI can complement dense breast evaluation.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images. Commonly used for pregnancy monitoring and examining organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys.
MRI
MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs and soft tissues. Excellent for brain, spine, and joint imaging.
Browse Mammo Terms
Explore common terms in Mammo reports, each with detailed explanations, clinical significance, and related lab tests to help you understand your imaging results. lab tests.
Breast Calcifications on Mammography: What It Shows, Cost &
Microcalcifications appear as tiny white dots on mammography. Ranged from benign to suspicious based on distribution, morphology, and number.
Breast Cancer on Mammography: What It Shows, Cost & Preparat
Mass characteristics (density, shape, margins), microcalcifications, architectural distortion, asymmetry
Breast Cysts on Mammography: What It Shows, Cost & Preparati
Well-circumscribed round or oval masses. Low density (radiolucent) on mammography. Anechoic with posterior enhancement on ultrasound.
Fibroadenoma on Mammography: What It Shows, Cost & Preparati
Well-circumscribed, oval or round mass with smooth margins. May contain coarse popcorn-like calcifications. Uniform density, no spiculation.
Breast Density Assessment on Mammography: What It Shows, Cos
Fibroglandular tissue appears white/gray on mammography; fat appears dark/radiolucent. Density categorized as A (almost entirely fat) through D (extremely dense).
Breast Calcifications on Mammography - BI-RADS Assessment: W
Microcalcifications appear as tiny white specks (0.1-0.5mm); macrocalcifications appear as larger white deposits (>0.5mm). Morphology ranges from round/benign to pleomorphic/linear suspicious patterns.
Breast Mass Evaluation on Mammography: What It Shows, Cost &
Space-occupying lesion visible on two or more projections. Characterized by shape (round, oval, irregular), margin (circumscribed, obscured, indistinct, microlobulated, spiculated), and density (high, equal, low, fat-containing).
Screening vs Diagnostic Mammography: What It Shows, Cost & P
Screening: Standard 2-view (CC and MLO) examination of asymptomatic women. Diagnostic: Targeted evaluation including additional views, spot compression, magnification, and ultrasound as needed for symptom or abnormality workup.
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