13 October 2008

Banjos in brain surgery



According to the BBC a musician undergoing brain surgery to treat a hand tremor played his banjo throughout to test the success of the procedure. Bluegrass player Eddie Adcock realised his tremor could threaten his ability to perform professionally.

Surgeons at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville placed electrodes in Mr Adcock's brain and fitted a pace maker in his chest which delivers a small current which shuts down the region of his brain causing the tremors.



Pretty logical when you think about it but there is something a little strange about plucking a banjo when surgeons are fiddling with your brain....

10 comments:

James Higham said...

Jams, this is getting distinctly left field now. :) Keep it up.

Maddy said...

Fascinating......on oh so many different levels.
Cheers

jams o donnell said...

James, Maddy Glad you like it. I just coulnd;t resist this story!

Liz Hinds said...

Oh, they did something like that on Grey's Anatomy. The patient had to stay awake and communicating so they knew they were operating on the right bit.

Steve Bates said...

"Doctor, will I be able to play [banjo] after this operation?" ...

CherryPie said...

I don't think I would want to be conscious if I new my brain was being operated on!

jams o donnell said...

It's sitll pretty amazing though Liz but like chier I would not tombe conscious if at all possible.

Hmm was he taking his last chance I wonder Steve!

A Free Man said...

It's amazing, but I can't imagine going through it myself! How uncomfortable.

roman said...

there is something a little strange about plucking a banjo when surgeons are fiddling with your brain....

It would be even more strange (and ironic) if it was a violin being played while surgeons "fiddle" with brain matter...

jams o donnell said...

I suppose it's painless fre man but still..

Gah Roman!