Man got $2,500 whole-body MRI that found no problems—then had massive stroke

A New York resident is taking legal action against Prenuvo, a prominent provider of whole-body MRI scans, after claiming that his $2,500 scan failed to detect critical health issues. Sean Clifford alleges that his MRI, conducted on July 15, 2023, revealed a significant 60 percent narrowing in a key artery in his brain—the proximal right middle cerebral artery—yet the results were reported as normal, with no adverse findings noted. Months later, on March 7, 2024, Clifford suffered a devastating stroke. Subsequent imaging indicated that the previously noted artery had completely blocked, which directly contributed to his stroke. As a result, Clifford now faces severe challenges, including paralysis on one side, vision impairments, cognitive difficulties, and a range of emotional issues affecting his daily life. In September 2024, Clifford initiated a lawsuit against Prenuvo in the New York State Supreme Court, contending that had he been informed of the artery's condition, he could have pursued preventive treatments, such as stenting, to avoid the stroke. Prenuvo, based in California, has sought to limit potential damages by attempting to mandate arbitration and to apply California laws, which impose caps on malpractice damages, to the New York case. However, both efforts have been unsuccessful. Additionally, a judge recently ruled against Prenuvo's attempts to protect the radiologist involved in the case, William A. Weiner, who has faced legal issues related to his medical license and allegations of misconduct in previous MRI evaluations. Clifford’s case has drawn attention as it raises concerns about the accuracy and accountability of medical imaging services.