Is it common to have an ultrasound after spot breast mammogram?

Ultrasound: May be needed to determine the diagnosis of a mass?

Yes, if...: ...The mammogram finds a "density", the ultrasound is very useful for determining if that density is solid (a tumor) or fluid-filled (a cyst). If solid and suspicious for cancer, ultrasound-guided needle biopsy can then be done for definitive diagnosis. In general, mammography & ultrasound are complementary to one another.

It depends: If you have a lump that can be felt, it's likely the radiologist will want an ultrasound as well as mammogram. Mammogram uses x-rays to see calcifications that might indicate a breast cancer, while ultrasound uses sound waves to see different characteristics of breast tissue such as blood flow, size and shape of a lump and whether it's solid or cystic. Ultrasound is also used to guide biopsy.

Yes,: If the spot mammogram demonstrates an abnormality, it is common to use ultrasound for further evaluation.