An extraordinary moment unfolded at a London hospital: violinist Dagmar Turner played her instrument during brain tumor surgery to protect the brain area vital for her performance.
Dagmar Turner, 53, a member of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra in southern England, was diagnosed in 2013. She underwent surgery for her brain tumour on February 18, 2020, at King's College Hospital. Surgeons used an innovative real-time technique: having her play the violin to monitor the hand movement region. Stunning images from The Guardian capture this remarkable scene.
Turner did not play throughout the procedure. Mid-surgery, surgeons awoke her to perform, safeguarding key cells in the right frontal lobe that control her left hand—crucial for violin playing and her greatest fear of losing.
While unique, this approach echoes common practices where patients are awakened for language tests during tumour resections. Playing violin was a first for the King's College team.
Surgeons successfully removed 90% of the cancerous tumour. Turner retained full left-hand function, thanking the team who optimized her position for playing. Discharged after three days, she hopes to rejoin her orchestra.
In 2017, U.S. saxophonist Dan Fabbio, 27, similarly played during his brain tumor surgery for the same protective purpose.
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