A 26-Year-Old Man With a Pleural Effusion and Headache

A 26-year-old man presented to the ED with dizziness and gait imbalance. He noted dizziness for 3 months, but symptoms progressed more rapidly over the last 3 weeks when he began experiencing nausea, vomiting, and “wobbly legs.” These symptoms would worsen with physical exertion, especially when lifting heavy objects. On review of systems, he also reported subjective fevers and chills. He had no appreciable dyspnea, cough, chest pain, or increased sputum production. The patient recalled a history of “brain surgery” approximately 4 years prior to his presentation, but no further details could be provided at the time.