Shirley Tarabichi

Dr. Shirley Tarabichi

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 March 2022 in Romanian Journal of Rhinology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
STShirley Tarabichi
Shirley Tarabichi
ANAndreea Alexandra Nicola
Andreea Alexandra Nicola
LRLucia Radu
Lucia Radu
SESimona Enache
Simona Enache
CBConstantin Ioan Busuioc
Constantin Ioan Busuioc
CSCodrut Sarafoleanu
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a benign condition of the lymphatic tissue whose cause has not been fully elucidated. Although it has been thought that various viral infections are involved in the onset of the disease, its immunological characteristics expressed by the proliferation of cytotoxic CD8-positive T lymphocytes and histiocytic phagocytosis place it at the border of autoimmunity. Sharing immunological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and epidemiological data (both are described in young women) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the association of the two pathologies represents a challenge for both clinicians and pathologists. We present the case of a young woman with SLE with immunological, haematological and articular involvement, who associates a few months after diagnosis the significant swelling of the submandibular glands and latero-cervical lymphadenopathy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations subsequently certify the diagnosis of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis associated with the autoimmune disease.

1 August 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CMCarmen Aurelia Mogoantă
Carmen Aurelia Mogoantă
CSCodrut Sarafoleanu
Codrut Sarafoleanu
OAOsman Andrei
Osman Andrei
IEIrina Enache
Irina Enache
STShirley Tarabichi
Shirley Tarabichi
ITIonut Tanase
Ionut Tanase
Background and Objectives: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare monoclonal B-cell neoplasm that typically affects the head and neck region, with a predilection for the sinonasal tract. Clinical presentation is often nonspecific, leading to delayed diagnosis. This study aims to improve our understanding of sinonasal EMP by reviewing the recent literature and presenting a case series from our clinical experience. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of published cases of sinonasal EMP from 2000 to 2023 was conducted using the PubMed database, yielding 28 eligible cases. Additionally, we retrospectively analyzed three patients diagnosed and treated at our institutions. Inclusion criteria included histologically and immunohistochemically confirmed EMP without evidence of systemic multiple myeloma. Data on demographics, tumor location, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes were collected and analyzed descriptively. Results: Sinonasal EMP most commonly presented with unilateral nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Tumors were primarily located in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, often extending beyond a single anatomical site. In the literature cohort, the most frequent treatment was combined surgery and radiotherapy (35.71%), followed by radiotherapy alone (17.86%). Recurrence was reported in 10.71% of cases, and 7.14% of patients died due to disease progression. All three patients in our case series underwent surgical excision; two received postoperative radiotherapy. No recurrences or progression to multiple myeloma were observed during follow-up (12–24 months). Conclusions: Sinonasal EMP is a rare but radiosensitive tumor with a favorable prognosis when treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Early diagnosis, histopathological confirmation, and exclusion of systemic disease are essential. Multidisciplinary management and long-term follow-up are critical due to the risk of recurrence and transformation into multiple myeloma.

9 March 2026 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ITIonut Tanase
Ionut Tanase
MCMircea Sorin Ciolofan
Mircea Sorin Ciolofan
CSCodrut Sarafoleanu
Codrut Sarafoleanu
CMCarmen Aurelia Mogoantă
Carmen Aurelia Mogoantă
CBCarmen Badea
Carmen Badea
GMGabriela Cornelia Musat
Gabriela Cornelia Musat
Sinonasal inverted papillomas (IPs) are rare benign tumors with ~15% postoperative recurrence and a ~8% risk of malignant transformation, with human papillomavirus (HPV) reported as a risk factor in IP malignant transformation. To evaluate clinical, molecular and immunohistochemical factors associated with recurrence and malignant transformation in IPs. We retrospectively analyzed 73 patients with histologically confirmed IPs that were treated at three tertiary ENT centers, including radiologic data, HPV DNA detection and p16 immunohistochemistry. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with recurrence and malignant transformation, and restricted exploratory multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess recurrence while minimizing overfitting. Fourteen recurrences (19%) were associated with longer symptom duration (p = 0.003), smoking (p = 0.03), advanced Krouse stage (III–IV) (p < 0.001), frontal sinus origin (p = 0.02), HPV+ DNA (50% vs. 22%, p = 0.048), and p16 loss/reduced expression (p = 0.006). Nine recurrences transformed into carcinoma (12%) and were associated with smoking (p = 0.01). HPV+ was not associated with malignancy (p = 1.00). Recurrence was associated with the advanced stage of the IP, tobacco use, longer symptom duration, frontal sinus origin, HPV+, and p16 loss/reduced expression.

9 January 2026 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMihai Preda
Mihai Preda
ZCZahra Ali Chaloob
Zahra Ali Chaloob
APAndreea Alexandra Preda
Andreea Alexandra Preda
GMGabriela Cornelia Musat
Gabriela Cornelia Musat
AMAlexandru Iulian Milea
Alexandru Iulian Milea
CSCodrut Sarafoleanu
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Background: The main cause of chronic nasal obstruction in ENT practice is represented by the deviated nasal septum. Septoplasty remains the gold standard treatment, performed using either conventional or endoscopic techniques. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between May 1999 and October 2024. Eligible studies included adult patients (≥16 years) undergoing conventional or endoscopic septoplasty, with at least one reported outcome measure: NOSE, VAS, or SNOT-22 scores; operative time; or complication rates. Results: Across multiple clinical studies, both conventional and endoscopic septoplasty provided significant improvements in nasal airflow and symptom relief. Endoscopic septoplasty was consistently associated with superior intraoperative visualization, more precise correction of posterior deformities and isolated septal spurs, and lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Complication rates were low overall for both approaches. Conclusions: Current evidence supports both conventional and endoscopic septoplasty as effective treatments for nasal obstruction due to septal deviation. However, endoscopic septoplasty offers distinct advantages in terms of visualization, operative efficiency, and safety, making it an increasingly preferred technique.

21 October 2022 in Romanian Journal of Rhinology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ITIonut Tanase
Ionut Tanase
MDMihai Dragomir
Mihai Dragomir
STShirley Tarabichi
Shirley Tarabichi
Rhinoscleroma is a chronic infectious condition found mainly in patients living in underdeveloped regions. It affects the respiratory tract (in 95% of the cases the nasal cavity is the first affected), but it can also involve the orbit, the middle ear, the lip, the gums and the cutaneous tissue. It is linked to infection with Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. Females are far more frequently affected than males. Symptoms typically appear in the second and third decades of life. Diagnosis is confirmed based on the pathology result of the biopsy and also by microbiology exam, but it has a low-rate specificity. Treatment consists of prolonged antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention. Follow-up of the patient is necessary due to the high relapse rate of the disease. We present a rare case of rhinoscleroma presented initially with cutaneous manifestations, which progressed rapidly causing invasion of the right frontal sinus by lysis of its anterior wall.

4 July 2025 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
CMCarmen Aurelia Mogoantă
Carmen Aurelia Mogoantă
CSCodrut Sarafoleanu
Codrut Sarafoleanu
OAOsman Andrei
Osman Andrei
IEIrina Enache
Irina Enache
STShirley Tarabichi
Shirley Tarabichi
ITIonut Tanase
Ionut Tanase
Background and Objectives: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare monoclonal B-cell neoplasm that typically affects the head and neck region, with a predilection for the sinonasal tract. Clinical presentation is often non-specific, leading to delayed diagnosis. This study aims to improve understanding of sinonasal EMP by reviewing recent literature and presenting a case series from our clinical experience. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of published cases of sinonasal EMP from 2000 to 2023 was conducted using the PubMed database, yielding 28 eligible cases. Additionally, we retrospectively analyzed three patients diagnosed and treated at our institutions. Inclusion criteria included histologically and immunohistochemically confirmed EMP without evidence of systemic multiple myeloma. Data on demographics, tumor location, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes were collected and analyzed descriptively. Results: Sinonasal EMP most commonly presented with unilateral nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Tumors were primarily located in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, often extending beyond a single anatomical site. In the literature cohort, the most frequent treatment was combined surgery and radiotherapy (35.71%), followed by radiotherapy alone (17.86%). Recurrence was reported in 10.71% of cases, and 7.14% of patients died due to disease progression. All three patients in our case series underwent surgical excision; two received postoperative radiotherapy. No recurrences or progression to multiple myeloma were observed during follow-up (12–24 months). Conclusions: Sinonasal EMP is a rare but radiosensitive tumor with a favorable prognosis when treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Early diagnosis, histopathological confirmation, and exclusion of systemic disease are essential. Multidisciplinary management and long-term follow-up are critical due to the risk of recurrence and transformation into multiple myeloma.