Dilated venous plexus of the hypoglossal canal mimicking disease

This article describes a case of prominent emissary veins of the hypoglossa l canal protruding into the cerebellomedullary cistern mimicking disease, s uch as a nerve sheath tumor. The diagnosis and differentiation in this inst ance were confirmed by MR angiography and a review of alternative imaging p lanes. A diagnosis of hypoglossal canal lesions should be made with caution , as these lesions are quite rare, and vascular anomalies, such as those de scribed, may mimic disease in this region.