This video captures the stunning moment that a patient at King's College Hospital in London played the violin while surgeons removed a tumor from her brain.

The unusual approach was taken to ensure areas of the patient's brain responsible for delicate hand movement and coordination—crucial components when playing violin—were not inadvertently damaged during the millimeter-precise procedure.

53-year-old Dagmar Turner, a former management consultant from the Isle of Wight, 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 Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra and various choral societies, underwent biopsy and then radiotherapy at her local specialist hospital to keep the tumor at bay. When it became apparent in autumn 2019 that the tumor had grown and become more aggressive, Turner—who has a 13-year-old son—was keen for surgery to remove it.

A consultation was arranged with Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a highly-recommended neurosurgeon at King's College Hospital, in order to discuss her options.

Turner's tumor was located in the 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 the violin as the fingers regulate the length of the strings by holding them against the fingerboard, producing different pitches. Turner explained her love of the violin and was aware of Professor Ashkan's mutual passion for music. The brain tumor specialist holds a degree in music and is an accomplished pianist.

After explaining her concerns over potentially losing the ability to play the violin, Professor Ashkan and the neurosurgical team at King's devised a plan. Prior to Turner's operation they 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 also discussed with Turner the idea of waking her mid-procedure so she could play. This would ensure the surgeons did not damage any crucial areas of the brain that controlled Dagmar's delicate hand movements specifically when playing the instrument. With her agreement, a team of surgeons, anesthetists, and therapists went on to meticulously plan the procedure.

During the operation, Prof Ashkan and the team performed a craniotomy (an opening in the skull) while Turner was brought round from the anesthetic. As her tumor was removed, Turner played her violin while closely monitored by the therapist and anesthetists.

"King's is one of the largest brain tumor centers in the UK. We perform around 400 resections (tumor removals) each year, which often involves rousing patients to carry out language tests, but this was the first time I've had a patient play an instrument," said Ashkan following the procedure.

"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% of the tumor, including all the areas suspicious of aggressive activity, while retaining full function in her left hand."

"The violin is my passion; I've been playing since I was 10 years old," says Turner. "The thought of losing my ability to play was heart-breaking but, being a musician himself, Professor Ashkan understood my concerns. He and the team at King's went out of their way to plan the operation—from mapping my brain to planning the position I needed to be in to play. Thanks to them, I'm hoping to be back with my orchestra very soon."

Three days after the procedure, Turner was well enough to go home to her husband and son. She will continue to be monitored by her local hospital.

Reprinted from King's College Hospital

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