A Costly Scan, A Missed Stroke, And A Big Lawsuit

In early 2023, a young man from Manhattan paid $2, 500 for a full-body scan. He wanted to know if he had any hidden health issues. The company that did the scan, Prenuvo, said it could find problems early. But eight months later, the man had a serious stroke. He now says the scan missed warning signs. The man, Sean Clifford, sued Prenuvo and the doctor who read his scan. He says they should have seen that his brain arteries were in trouble. A doctor who looked at the scan later said it was a clear miss. The scan report said his brain arteries were normal. But after the stroke, images showed a blockage in the same spot. Prenuvo says it takes the lawsuit seriously. But the company also says its scans are not perfect. The consent form Clifford signed even says that scans can miss some problems. Still, Clifford's lawyer says the company should have caught the issue.Some doctors are not big fans of full-body scans. They say the scans can find small problems that don't need treatment. This can lead to more tests and worry. Insurance usually doesn't pay for these scans. So, they are mostly for people who can afford to pay out of pocket. Prenuvo has some famous investors and supporters. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton have talked about how great the scans are. But not everyone is convinced. Some experts say there's no proof that these scans save lives or are worth the cost. The lawsuit raises a big question: Can full-body scans really catch everything? Or do they give people a false sense of security? Some doctors say radiologists might not have enough time to look at all the details in a full-body scan. Others say the scans are not meant for people who don't have symptoms. Prenuvo's CEO says the company focuses only on making scans as accurate as possible. But the lawsuit shows that even the best scans can miss something important. For now, the case is moving forward. And it's making people think twice about the value of full-body scans.