Prolonged Retention of an Ingested Foreign Body: A Case Report

While ingested foreign bodies that do not impact in the esophagus often pose little threat to the patient, passing during a period of expectant management. Dull or blunt object that are retained in the upper gastrointestinal tract may require intervention. Reported is a unique case of foreign body retention of 12 years duration resulting in protracted symptoms, which were alleviated by endoscopic intervention. This case also illustrates the benefit of endoscopic evaluation, and possible intervention, when the symptomatic patient reports a foreign body ingestion no matter how distant in time.