Violinist Dagmar Turner helped doctors prevent damage to a large area of her brain by playing her instrument during the operation to remove her tumor.
This method allowed doctors to check in real time the neurological areas responsible for its movements. They were thus able to avoid any injury resulting in irreversible damage.
Dagmar Turner, a 53-year-old musician, member of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra (south of England), was diagnosed in 2013 with a slow-growing tumor. She asked to be operated on when the tumor developed.
The operation took place last month.
The idea of playing the musician while waking her up in the middle of the operation was intended to protect in particular important cells located in the right frontal lobe of her brain.
This area, located right next to the operated one, controls, among other things, the left hand, essential for playing the instrument.
"The idea of not being able to play anymore broke my heart," said Ms. Turner, who thanked the medical team for doing "everything possible", even going so far as to predict in which position to operate it so that 'she can play.
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"We do about 400 resections (tumor removal) a year, which often involves waking patients up for language tests," said surgeon responsible for Operation Keyoumars Ashkan, "but it was the first time I played a patient an instrument. "
90% of the tumor was removed, the violinist kept full use of her left hand.
"Thanks to them, I hope to be able to return to my orchestra very soon," said Turner, who left the hospital three days after her operation.