Sternberg's canal defect: meningitis as the initial presentation in a patient with choroid plexus cyst incidentaloma. Illustrative case.

This case underscores the need to consider occult skull base defects in patients with meningitis and raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and to perform targeted imaging (CT cisternography) when rhinorrhea occurs. When the bony defect is lateral or high flow, a transcranial route may be appropriate; endoscopic options should be weighed based on location and surgeon expertise. Meticulous ICP management may mitigate dehiscence risk. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24644.