What is the difference between a Mammogram and an Ultrasound?

A mammogram is performed using an X-ray machine that has two plates used to compress the breast so that the thickness is reduced to produce a clear picture of the breast tissue. Mammograms have progressed a long way since the regular X-ray. Now they are captured digitally by x-ray and do not require as much compression as the original form.

If there is a discovery on the mammogram, it is usually followed by an ultrasound, that sends sound waves to the mass and will show if it is solid or liquid-filled, that would tell the difference between a mass or a cyst. Ultrasound is a useful tool that will help determine what the next steps will be to find the answer.

Ultrasound and Mammograms are procedures performed in the medical field. An ultrasound is normally used on pregnant women, to allow the doctor to see the growth of the fetus. A mammogram is normally used on women to see if they have any signs of breast cancer.

Along with being used for different uses, they are also performed differently. An ultrasound uses sound waves. These waves are then turned into a sonogram, which is a picture of the waves. A mammogram uses radiation. This radiation helps a picture of the breast tissue, while the breast is compressed between two plates.

The main disparity existing between mammograms and ultrasounds is in their usage. Mammograms are specially designed to target the breast region, while ultrasounds can be employed for almost all the internal areas of the human body. Mammograms use radiation although in small amounts, while ultrasounds makes use of sound waves, which means that the patients would not be exposed to potentially harmful radiation waves.

Mammogram provides the image of the entire breast, and it often identifies lumps which cannot be felt nor seen externally. Ultrasounds in contrast are highly directed. This means ultrasounds are useful if the patient can feel a lump and the sonographer can just place the camera over the specific area.

They are also very useful if a mammogram has detected lesion that is unusual, in this case the ultrasound would then hone in on that suspected area. Ultrasounds are ineffective screening mechanisms, and they rarely detect small lumps on their own.