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Related Experiment Videos

The hypoglossal canal: normal MR enhancement pattern

F Voyvodic1, A Whyte, J Slavotinek

  • 1Department of Radiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.

AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|September 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Normal MRI scans show enhancement within the hypoglossal canal, a finding crucial for interpreting skull base lesions. This helps differentiate normal anatomy from potential masses in the hypoglossal canal.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroradiology
  • Anatomy
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • The hypoglossal canal transmits the hypoglossal nerve, crucial for tongue movement.
  • Accurate interpretation of the hypoglossal canal's appearance on MRI is vital for diagnosing skull base pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the anatomy of the hypoglossal canal.
  • To describe the typical precontrast and postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the normal hypoglossal canal on axial posterior fossa views.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 31 axial MRI examinations of the normal posterior fossa.
  • Analysis of precontrast and postcontrast imaging characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Hypoglossal canals were visualized in 90% of patients on 3-mm-thick axial posterior fossa MRI.

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  • Symmetric, intense intracanalicular enhancement post-gadolinium administration was observed in all visualized canals.
  • Anterior extension of enhancement into the nasopharyngeal region was common.
  • A linear filling defect, potentially representing nerve rootlets, was seen in 75% of enhanced canals.
  • Meningeal enhancement around the foramen magnum was noted in 64% of cases.

    • Conclusions:

    • Intracanalicular enhancement with anterior extension beneath the skull base is a normal MRI finding for the hypoglossal canal.
    • This characteristic enhancement pattern aids in the interpretation of skull base lesions.
    • It assists in excluding masses within the hypoglossal canal.