Q&A with Dr. Praveen Datar

417 Magazine: Tell us about a memorable case.
Dr. Praveen Datar: Recently there was a patient who was referred to me for obstructive sleep apnea. But upon questioning, he complained of having several headaches and vision changes. There were several other complaints that clinically looked to me like the patient may have a pituitary adenoma so I sent for testing and subsequently found he did have a pituitary adenoma. He got the surgery and is doing fine. The sleep apnea was just one of the symptoms because of the increased soft tissue around his oral cavity but a detailed history helped me to address the underlying problem.

417: How do you unplug?
P.D.: I have two kids, a seven-year-old and a five-year-old, and they're the ones who keep me busy. Other than that, I like painting. Oil painting is one of my favorite mediums. Then, just working out and playing a bit of guitar. Lately, I have been practicing it more often.

417: What music do you listen to in surgery?
P.D.: During surgical procedures, we try to play ‘80s rock. That's my favorite music. But usually, it goes by my staff and whatever they choose. Every time we try to play different music so that we get to know each other's taste and stuff but my personal preference is ‘80s rock.

417: What is your favorite part of patient care?
P.D.: The interaction with the patients and everything about it is my favorite. The reason they come to you is to find answers and it’s a privilege to be in a position to help them, explain what's going on with them and try to give insight into their disease in the simplest way possible. That's what I aim for. Then obviously, identifying the diagnosis and treatment and once they feel better, you get to see the gratitude on their face.