Several theories describe the development of the retraction pocket of the tympanic membrane (RP). Many authors suggest that the negative middle ear pressure is the main reason responsible for developing this condition. A narrative review has been undertaken, and conclusions are drawn reflecting a current knowledge with our new observations in the histological and immunohistochemical study. Recent studies show the important role of inflammation in the development and progression of RP. A review of the available literature shows that the inflammation plays a key role in pathogenesis of the RP and its progression to the cholesteatoma. We support this statement with our new results from histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the RPs.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Comenius University University Hospital 85107 Bratislava Slovakia

Department of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University in Brno University Hospital Brno 61300 Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Czech Academy of Sciences 60200 Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Pathology University Hospital Ostrava 70852 Ostrava Czech Republic

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Bacteriome of the Middle Ear in Children and Young Adults With Cholesteatoma and Retraction Pocket: A Pilot Study

Cartilage tympanoplasty for retraction pocket of the tympanic membrane in children