A 22-year-old Army private with chest pain and weight loss.

The objective of this study was to delineate an efficient and effective diagnostic approach in evaluating a patient with weight loss and a posterior mediastinal mass. This case demonstrates the evaluation and management of a 22-year-old Army private with weight loss, chest pain, and a posterior mediastinal mass on chest X-ray. The importance of obtaining a thorough travel history to formulate the differential diagnosis is highlighted.