[Musculoskeletal tuberculosis - a clinical case report]

Tuberculosis of the chest wall constitutes 1% to 5% of all cases of musculoskeletal TB. Abscesses of the chest wall are rare tuberculous locations. Because of the resurgence of the tuberculosis associated to AIDS, that diagnosis must be considered more frequently. The authors present a case of osseous tuberculosis with an abscess rib in a patient with HIV. The combination of indolent onset of symptoms and compatible radiographic findings, strongly suggests the diagnosis. However, the confirmation with positive culture or histopathologic are essential for definitive diagnosis.