A Patient Plays The Violin While Undergoing Brain Surgery!
In a remarkable story from King’s College Hospital in London, a patient named Dagmar Turner played her violin while undergoing brain surgery. Turner, a 53-year-old violinist from the Isle of Wight, took part in this unusual procedure to protect the parts of her brain responsible for her hand movements and coordination—critical for playing the violin. Surgeons allowed her to play mid-surgery to ensure that these delicate brain areas weren’t damaged. Let’s dive in to see more about this incredible story.
Dagmar Turner’s Journey
Dagmar Turner was a committed violinist. In 2013, she was diagnosed with a large grade 2 glioma, after suffering a seizure while performing at a symphony. Glioma is a slow-growing brain tumor. Despite the tumor, Turner continued to play violin in the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra and various choral societies. Initially, she underwent a biopsy and radiotherapy to manage the tumor. But by 2019, the tumor had become more aggressive. This progression led Turner to prepare for surgery as a solution. Turner feared that she would lose the ability to play the violin.
Her tumor was located near a part of the brain that controlled the fine motor movements of her left hand, essential for playing the violin.
“Your tumor is on the right-hand side, so it will not affect your right-hand side, it will affect your left-hand side.”
Turner recalled doctors telling her.
Her left hand was the “most important part” for her music. She was heartbroken at the thought of losing the ability to play, but this was also a critical moment for her.
The Role of Music in Brain Mapping: A Groundbreaking Approach
Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a consultant neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital, led Turner’s surgery. Like Turner, Ashkan is a musician, which helped him understand her concerns deeply.
“The violin is my passion; I’ve been playing since I was 10 years old. The thought of losing my ability to play was heart-breaking, but being a musician himself, Prof Ashkan understood my concerns.”
Turner explained.
The key concern was preserving Turner’s hand movements, which are vital for playing the violin. During the surgery, the medical team had to avoid damaging the part of her brain controlling this movement. To do this, they used advanced imaging techniques like functional MRI to map her brain. Specifically identifying regions that controlled movement and musical coordination. The team then devised a plan to wake Turner up during surgery and have her play the violin to ensure these areas weren’t harmed.
The Procedure
The surgery itself involved a craniotomy, where the surgeons made an opening in Turner’s skull. During the operation, Turner was brought out of anesthesia and played the violin as surgeons carefully removed the tumor. This allowed them to see the real-time functionality of her brain’s functionality.
“We knew how important the violin is to Dagmar, so it was vital that we preserved function in the delicate areas of her brain that allowed her to play. We managed to remove over 90 percent of the tumor, including all the areas suspicious of aggressive activity, while retaining full function in her left hand.”
Prof. Ashkan said.
The surgical team, which included anesthetists and therapists, worked together to ensure Turner’s safety during this delicate procedure. Although this type of surgery is rare, there have been similar cases. In 2016, for instance, a music teacher played the saxophone during brain surgery to help the doctors preserve his musical abilities. In other cases, patients have solved math problems to help surgeons monitor brain functions related to their profession.
The Success and Recovery
Turner’s surgery was a success. The surgeons were able to remove over 90% of the tumor, including the areas suspected of becoming more aggressive. Thankfully, this preserved her ability to play the violin. After the operation, Turner expressed her relief, saying, “Thanks to them, I’m hoping to be back with my orchestra very soon.” Just three days after the procedure, Turner was well enough to go home to her husband and 13-year-old son. Her recovery has been smooth, and she continues to be monitored by her local hospital.
The Science Behind Awake Craniotomy
Awake craniotomies, like the one Turner underwent, are specialized brain surgeries. Patients are kept awake to help doctors avoid damaging critical brain areas. This technique has been used for decades. Patients often asked to perform simple tasks like naming objects to preserve language function. However, with advances in brain mapping technology, such as functional MRI, surgeons now have more detailed information about a patient’s brain before surgery. This allows for more personalized approaches, especially for patients whose professions rely on specific brain functions—like musicians or mathematicians.
Similar Cases
Turner’s case is rare but not entirely unique. In 2016, a similar procedure was performed on a music teacher who played the saxophone during surgery. Cognitive neuroscientist Brad Mahon explained that the surgery was intense because the tumor was near areas responsible for understanding and conducting music. Fortunately, that surgery was also successful. Other patients, like accountants, have performed tasks such as solving math problems during brain surgery to ensure that those abilities remain intact.
Conclusion
Dagmar Turner’s story is an inspiring example of how modern medicine and personalized care can help patients retain not only their lives but also the things they love. The intersection of music and science in her case shows the potential for future surgeries that focus on preserving the patient’s quality of life. As technology and medical practices advance, we may see even more innovative surgeries like Turner’s, where a patient’s passion guides the surgeon’s hands, blending human creativity with scientific precision.
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