Introduction: Various types of contaminants can be encountered in cytologic specimens. This study describes a vegetable material that we encountered in ileal conduit urine specimens. We aim to describe the cytomorphology and the source of origin of this vegetable material.
Material and methods: The cytology database for the past 5 years (January 2015-April 2020) was searched for ileal conduit urine cytology specimens with a reported vegetable contaminant. The details of the ostomy procedure and device used were recorded. Histologic sections were prepared from the ostomy devices as well as from guar beans and seeds.
Results: A total of 17 urinary specimens from 8 patients were identified that showed the presence of a vegetable contaminant. All the patients were using Coloplast (Minneapolis, MN) SenSura Mio ostomy device. The urine cytology showed presence of polygonal thick-walled cells with a dark brown/orange core with irregular outlines. Similar cells were also seen in the histologic sections prepared from the ostomy adhesive and the guar seed and bean.
Conclusions: Guar gum is a naturally occurring hydrocolloid that is used in ostomy wafer adhesives. Correct identification and familiarity with the cytomorphology of the guar cells in samples of ileal conduit urine is essential to avoid a potential diagnostic pitfall when evaluating urine cytology specimens from these diversion specimens.
Keywords: Contaminants in cytology; Guar gum; Ileal conduit cytology; Ostomy devices; Urine cytology; Vegetable matter in urine.
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Cytopathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.