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Purpose: The authors sought to quantify neighboring and distant interpoint correlations of threshold values within the visual field in patients with glaucoma., Methods: Visual fields of patients with confirmed or suspected glaucoma were analyzed (n = 255). One eye per patient was included. Patients were examined using the 32 program of the Octopus 1-2-3. Linear regression analysis among each of the locations and the rest of the points of the visual field was performed, and the correlation coefficient was calculated. The degree of correlation was categorized as high (r(2) > 0.66), moderate (0.66 > or = r(2) > 0.33), or low (r(2) < or = 0.33). The standard error of threshold estimation was calculated., Results: Most locations of the visual field had high and moderate correlations with neighboring points and with distant locations corresponding to the same nerve fiber bundle. Locations of the visual field had low correlations with those of the opposite hemifield, with the exception of locations temporal to the blind spot. The standard error of threshold estimation increased from 0.6 to 0.9 dB with an r(2) reduction of 0.1., Conclusion: Locations of the visual field have highest interpoint correlation with neighboring points and with distant points in areas corresponding to the distribution of the retinal nerve fiber layer. The quantification of interpoint correlations may be useful in the design and interpretation of visual field tests in patients with glaucoma.

Oral cancer is a disease whose principal etiological factors are tobacco and alcohol consumption, which if controlled could help avoid many tumors. However, consumption has continued to grow for years. We have studied the risk of the principal factors established in the development of oral cancer and the influence of the oral hygiene level on the appearance of these tumors. Seventy-five cases of oral cancer and 150 controls from the Madrid community were interviewed on tobacco and alcohol consumption habits and their oral hygiene level. The Odds Ratio (OR) for consumption of 6-20 cigarettes/day is 3.1 and 7.96 for more than 20 cigarettes/day. When more than 50 g of alcohol/day is consumed the risk results in an OR of 5.3. Daily brushing is a protective factor (OR, 0.41). In conclusion, the most important risk factor for developing oral cancer is tobacco consumption followed by alcohol consumption.

Introduction: Haptoglobin is a transport protein and protects organism against iron loss and it should be involved in central nervous system infectious process., Patients and Methods: Simultaneous serum and cerebrospinal fluid were obtained of 39 pediatric patients, 14 suffering from viral meningoencephalitis and 25 from bacterial meningoencephalitis. Five control cases were examined too. Haptoglobin, IgG and albumin were quantified in both fluids by radial immunodiffusion. Haptoglobin cerebrospinal fluid/serum ratio, haptoglobin index and haptoglobin/IgG index were calculated. Local IgG intrathecal synthesis was determined by reibergram., Results: Haptoglobin index was higher not statistically significant in viral meningoencephalitis in comparison with bacterial disease but both were statistically significant with respect to control group. Increased haptoglobin/IgG index were statistically significant in bacterial meningoencephalitis in relation with viral meningoencephalitis. There were no association between haptoglobin and polymorphonuclear cells count and globular sediment speed., Conclusion: Haptoglobin should be considered a relevant marker of central nervous system infectious process.

A total of 20 cancer patients suffering chronic pain were treated with morphine chloride by intrathecal administration through a subcutaneous implanted reservoir. Pain evaluation was done using our INO scale, McGill questionnaire and the visual analogue scale. A morphine intrathecal test was done previously to disclose if this method of administration would be effective. In nearly all patients the initial dose of morphine chloride was 2 mg/day and according to the pain relief the dose was modified if necessary. In 14/20 patients the initial dose was maintained during all treatment until their death. One patient treated during 370 days required a final dose of 6 mg/day. In all patients the analgesia obtained and evaluated with the INO scale was statistically significant using the t-Student (P less than 0.001) with a pretreatment mean value of 12.4 +/- 1.81 (mean +/- sigma) and 6.85 +/- 0.99 (mean sigma) in the final evaluation. The mean period of treatment was 62.8 days (range 10-370 days). Side effects are comparable with those described by others, and respiratory depression did not occur in our series. This method of treatment can alleviate pain in cancer patients not suitable to be treated by other methods, including ablative neurosurgical procedures, permitting home care which can be more comfortable to patients and their families.