[Validity of photographical dietary assessment; a preliminary analysis].

We estimated nutritional intake from color photographs taken of meals with a 35-mm camera, and compared them with the values calculated from the menu. Among 21 meals examined, the coefficient of correlation between the values by the photo method and those from examining the menu was appreciably high; 0.842 in energy, 0.828-0.931 in three major nutrients, and 0.745-0.940 in vitamins and minerals. The differences between the photo method and menu observation were 0-14.8% on average, and the coefficient of variation of the differences was 9.1-32.3%. Estimation of salt was, however, very poor, and the agreement was lower due to the cooking method used. Some differences were found among the dietitians in estimated values of several nutrients. The running cost was approximately 87-yen per meal, which may pose a problem for large-scale dietary surveys. Compared with the use of record, recall, and frequency questionnaire methods, the photo method was easily used by participants, especially those not used to cooking, and could be applied to eating out or for take-out food. Moreover, this method may provide not only quantitative data but also qualitative including eating atmosphere. When estimation is difficult due to the ingredients or recipe, combined use with record or recall methods can facilitate estimation. This photo method is thus considered to be a valid and feasible means of dietary assessment.

Palliative urinary diversion in patients with advanced pelvic malignancy.

The survival patterns of 90 patients with advanced pelvic malignancy and bilateral ureteral obstruction treated with urinary diversion are reviewed. Cell type, presence or absence of prior treatment, or degree of renal decompensation had no specific correlation with length of survival. The youngest age group ranging from 27 to 49 years had a significantly shorter survival than the remainder of the patients. In patients who received prior treatment, an increasing time interval from original diagnosis of malignancy to diversion was associated with a longer median survival. Thirty patients lived six months or more after surgery and spent an average of 14% of their remaining life in the hospital. Guidelines for selection of patients who might benefit from urinary diversion are presented.

Palliative urinary diversion in carcinoma of the cervix.

Over a 28-year period, 46 patients with previously treated carcinoma of the cervix developed bilateral ureteral obstruction that was treated with palliative urinary diversion. All but 3 patients had elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and 19 had received no prior treatment. Forty-one percent (19/46) lived 6 months or more and spent 86% of their remaining life out of the hospital. Various factors potentially affecting survival are examined, and guidelines for patient selection are offered.