Inverted Follicular Keratosis of the Ear Lobe Masquerading as Malignancy

Inverted follicular keratosis (IFK) is a rare benign tumor of the hair follicle that can be mistaken for malignancies like squamous cell carcinoma due to its similar appearance. This case report discusses a 66-year-old male with a painful nodule on his left ear lobe, initially suspected to be a malignant condition. However, a punch biopsy and histopathological examination confirmed it as IFK. The case emphasizes the importance of histopathology in accurately diagnosing IFK and differentiating it from malignant tumors, with surgical excision being the primary treatment approach.