[Noma: presentation of a case].

The noma has been rarely seen during these last decades. It is of an infections etiology, primarily affecting malnourished or immunodeficient children. It is easily confused with neoplastic tumors, tuberculosis, mycosis or gangrene ecthyma which may condition errors in treatment with severe undesirable side-effects. It has recently been associated to AIDS. A case is reported, comments are included on the diagnostic method, medical and surgical treatment and the results obtained.