Gastric Perforation and Phlegmon Formation by Foreign Body

This is a case report of foreign body ingestion in a suicide attempt resulting in gastric perforation and phlegmon for-mation during a subsequent 6 month period that eventually required surgical intervention. The patient had a prolonged course because she did not report a history of foreign body ingestion and the initial evaluating physicians had no suspi-cion about possible foreign body ingestion and may have missed important findings on physical examination. Gastric perforation by a foreign object may have a slow course rather than presenting acute abdomen. The realization of a prop-er physical examination in the emergency department is key to an accurate diagnosis.