The aim of this comprehensive review was to present the current knowledge on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in acute, recurrent, and chronic forms of otitis media. Special attention was focused on cholesteatoma of the middle ear. MicroRNAs modulate gene expression, which, in turn, influences the development and likelihood of the recurrence of acute and aggressive chronic middle ear inflammatory processes. Moreover, this study discusses the modulating role of a specific subgroup of noncoding RNA, circular RNA (circRNA). Recognizing the precise potential pathways and the mechanisms of their function may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular bases of middle ear diseases and identifying novel methods for treating this demanding pathology. Articles published between 2009 and 2022 were used in this analysis. In this review, we provide a complete overview of the latest progress in identifying the role and mechanisms of particular miRNAs and circRNAs in acute, recurrent and chronic forms of otitis media.
Keywords: acute otits media; cholesteatoma; chronic otitis media; circRNA; miRNA; microRNA; otits media with effusion.