Special view mammogram requested after first mammogram a week ago. what is this for?

Very common: This is a common occurrence to see an area of the breast better. Sometimes the whole breast doesn't press out enough on the screening mammogram and special views or spot compressions are needed to see an area more clearly. Be sure to go back and let them do a thorough job!

Additional check: Sometimes they find an abnormal finding on the mammogram which needs further evaluation before the radilogist provides a final interpretation. After additional views are done which may also need an ultrasound, the radiologist will make a recommendation whether the finding was not significant or if it may need a biopsy or a short term follow up. Please check with your provider for the final report.

Close up eval: What you are getting is a diagnostic mammogram. This is occasionally needed when the radiologist want to do close up view of certain area in the breast. This is not uncommon when you have the 1st mammogram. If all are ok, when you have your next annual mammogram the radiologist will be able to refer to previous mammograms for comparison. Be sure to always have old films for future comparisons.

Diagnostic mammo: There was a potential abnormality on the screening mammogram which requires additional views to sort out. Depending on the diagnostic mammo results, an ultrasound may also be performed. This is a common scenario, the majority of the time it turns out to be nothing of concern.