Description

PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography; Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones) is a diagnostic imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to evaluate metabolic and functional activity in tissues and organs. It is commonly used in oncology, cardiology, and neurology to detect cancer, assess heart function, or evaluate brain activity.

Interpreter Notes

Interpreters may hear “PET scan” or “PET” in English, and “tomografía por emisión de positrones” in Spanish. In some Spanish-speaking medical contexts, the abbreviation PET or TEP may be used. Interpreters should render the term exactly as stated by the speaker without transferring abbreviations across languages.

Example Sentences

EN: The doctor ordered a PET scan to check for cancer spread.

ES: El médico ordenó una tomografía por emisión de positrones para evaluar la propagación del cáncer.

Common Interpreter Mistakes

Using the abbreviation PET automatically in Spanish when the full term is used; confusing a PET scan with a CT or MRI; translating the term as a general X-ray.