Mammary tuberculosis: percutaneous treatment of a mammary tuberculous abscess

It is currently very rare to find mammary involvement in cases of tuberculo sis, in either primary or secondary form. Diagnosis is classically clinical and microbiological, and the basic techniques used in imaging diagnosis ar e mammography and ultrasound. Computed tomography may define the involvemen t of the thoracic wall in those cases which present as mammary masses adher ing to deep levels, and is also able to evaluate accompanying pulmonary dis ease, if it is present. Traditionally, treatment has consisted of quadrante ctomy and specific antibiotic therapy. We present a case of tuberculous mam mary abscess secondary to pulmonary disease, which was treated by percutane ous drainage controlled by CT and specific antibiotic therapy. We revise th e diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of mammary tuberculosis.