When physicians discover evidence of pseudotumor cerebri (also known as false brain tumor), it is very important that they properly diagnose the condition. This could be of special concern for women of childbearing age, since allegations have emerged that a common form of birth control, the Mirena IUD, may be linked to false brain tumors.

Pseudotomor cerebri is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the braincase, causing symptoms that mimic a brain tumor. There are a wide variety of causes of false brain tumors, including injury, illness, and some cases that are simply called “idiopathic” or unexplained. However, it is known that drugs may cause them, and it has been alleged that the Mirena IUD may be among the drugs that can cause false false brain tumor symptoms.

When pseudotomor cerebri occurs, fluid builds up in the skull. This fluid presses against the brain and eyes, causing a host of serious and debilitating symptoms. The symptoms of pseudotomor cerebri closely mimic the symptoms of a brain tumor, including headaches, neurological problems, and pressure in the skull. Real brain tumors are a serious condition, and require intensive medical care. While false brain tumors are also very serious, they require very different medical care, and need to be treated separately.

In many cases of false brain tumor, the condition gets progressively worse. Many of the symptoms involve pressure on the optic nerve. Patients with pseudotumor cerebri tend to have vision problems such as tunnel vision and blind spots. But this can escalate to permanent vision loss if the false brain tumor is not quickly diagnosed and treated.

Bayer is already under legal scrutiny over allegations of Mirena complications. However, to date, most Mirena lawsuits allege that the Mirena IUD can punch through the wall of the uterus and migrate to other parts of the body, causing damage to the internal organs.

Currently, a class action lawsuit investigation is underway over allegations that the Mirena IUD can also cause false brain tumors.

In addition, dozens of false brain tumor lawsuits have already been filed against Bayer, the manufacturer of the Mirena IUD, alleging that (1) Mirena can cause false brain tumors, (2) Bayer was aware of this problems and that (3) Bayer did not do enough to protect the public from the alleged risk of false brain tumor.

An attempt in 2014 to coordinate the Mirena false brain tumor lawsuits into multidistrict ligation (MDL), a type of coordinated group of legal action, was unsuccessful, but plaintiffs are still trying to centralize their lawsuits before one judge. This new Mirena MDL will help plaintiffs share in discovery and expedite the legal process.

Plaintiffs are seeking compensation from Bayer for a wide range of injuries caused by this undisclosed side effect. They accuse Bayer of negligently manufacturing, marketing and selling the Mirena IUD without disclosing it’s risks.