Dilated venous plexus of the hypoglossal canal mimicking disease.

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