Post by Paul Wischmeyer

Musician is woken up midway through brain surgery to play violin to ensure parts of her brain responsible for intricate hand movements are not affected during procedure!! 🎻🧠 The unusual approach was taken to ensure areas of patient’s brain responsible for delicate hand movement and coordination - crucial components when playing violin - were not inadvertently damaged during the millimetre-precise procedure. Dagmar Turner, 53, was diagnosed in 2013 with a large grade 2 (slow growing) glioma after suffering a seizure during a symphony. The committed violinist, who plays in a Symphony Orchestra and various choral societies, underwent biopsy and then radiotherapy at her local specialist hospital to keep the tumour at bay. When it became apparent in autumn 2019 that tumour had grown and become more aggressive Dagmar, who has a 13-year-old son, was keen for surgery to remove it. Dagmar’s tumour was located in right frontal lobe of her brain, close to an area that controls the fine movement of her left hand. Precise and skilled use of this hand is essential for playing violin as fingers regulate the length of strings by holding them against fingerboard, producing different pitches. Prior to operation, the neurosurgical team spent two hours carefully mapping her brain to identify areas that were active when she played the violin and those responsible for controlling language and movement. They discussed idea of waking her mid-procedure so she could play. This would ensure the surgeons did not damage any crucial areas of brain that control her delicate hand movements specifically when playing violin. During operation, team performed a craniotomy (an opening in skull) and Dagmar was brought round from anaesthetic. She played violin while her tumour was removed, while closely monitored by anaesthetists. 👉 Follow here on LinkedIn and on: Instagram: @paul_wischmeyermd YouTube: @paul_wischmeyermd Twitter: @paul_wischmeyer for more medicine and nutrition posts 👈 ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 👥 SHARE 💾 SAVE Thanks to @medicaltalks #brainsurgery #neurosurgery #brain #violin #brainsurgerysurvivor #braintumor #brainmapping #glioma #musician #nutrition #nutrição #dietitian #nurse #nursingstudent #medicine #mbbs #science #biology #medstudent #health #nutrologia

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