Efficacy of the lateral view mammogram in the detection of breast malignancy.

Previous studies suggest that single-view lateral mammography alone results in a small decrease in detection of malignancies. Detection rates for lateral view only and two-view examinations in 200 cases (100 malignant, 100 nonmalignant) were compared. Four to six per cent of cases originally found positive were reinterpreted as negative in both situations. Preliminary findings suggest that the lateral view alone is sufficient, provided a second view is requested in suspicious cases.