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Meaning & use

PET scan

noun·Advancedmedical

Last updated

UK/ˈpɛt skæn/
US/ˈpɛt skæn/

Meaning

  1. nouncountablemedical

    A medical imaging test in which a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected so that a machine can show how organs and tissues are working.

    Grammar: Takes an article: a PET scan, the PET scan.

    Patterns

    • have a PET scan
    • a PET scan of something

    The doctor ordered a PET scan to check whether the cancer had spread.

    She had a PET scan of her brain to look for signs of memory problems.

    The PET scan showed a bright spot where cells were unusually active.

Word forms

pluralPET scans

Common combinations

have a PET scan
He has to have a PET scan next Tuesday.
order a PET scan
The oncologist ordered a PET scan.
PET scan results
The PET scan results will be ready in two days.
brain PET scan
A brain PET scan can show how active different areas are.
PET scan and CT scan
A PET scan and CT scan are often done together.

Synonyms and how they differ

PET imaging
PET imaging is a more technical phrase for the same process.
CT scan
A CT scan uses x-rays to show structure, while a PET scan shows activity in tissues.
MRI
An MRI uses magnets and radio waves to show detailed structure, not tracer activity.

Word family

scan noun
an image made by a medical machine
scan verb
to examine with a scanner
scanner noun
the machine used
tracer noun
the radioactive substance injected

Commonly confused: PET scan or CT scan?

PET scan vs CT scan

A CT scan shows the shape of organs using x-rays. A PET scan shows how active tissue is.

Practice

What does a PET scan mainly show?

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