Inverted Follicular Keratosis: A Rare Presentation in External Ear Canal

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Feb;76(1):1244-1246. doi: 10.1007/s12070-023-04241-y. Epub 2023 Oct 10.

Abstract

Inverted follicular keratosis is a benign skin lesion that typically presents as an asymptomatic, solitary nodule that may mimic malignant lesions, especially squamous cell carcinoma, both clinically and pathologically. It is developed from the hair follicle infundibulum and can be considered a variant of seborrheic dermatitis. We present a case of a 26-year-old gentleman with a soft tissue mass at the external auditory canal which was later confirmed as inverted follicular keratosis and was treated by endoscopic transcanal excision of the mass with temporalis fascia graft reconstruction. He is currently under surveillance follow-up with no symptoms and signs of recurrence.

Keywords: Benign tumour; External auditory canal; Inverted follicular keratosis; Squamous cell carcinoma.