Atypical Foreign Body Ingestion Leading to Evidence of Gastroparesis

Foreign body (FB) ingestion in adults commonly occurs in the context of dining, substance use, and psychiatric disorders. Gastroparesis is defined as the delayed emptying of gastric contents without mechanical obstruction. This case report presents a 38-year-old male who unintentionally ingested the tip of a metal knife, with subsequent imaging supporting evidence of gastroparesis. Previously undiagnosed gastroparesis is suspected to have spared this patient from life-threatening consequences of FB ingestion, including gastrointestinal perforation and hemorrhage. This report underscores the value of timely multidisciplinary coordination, imaging, and intervention while raising awareness of atypical presentations of gastroparesis.