A patient with a carcinoid tumour arising in a Meckel's diverticulum and presenting with acute small intestinal obstruction is described. Review of previously reported cases indicates that the initial clinical presentation of carcinoid tumours occurring in a Meckel's diverticulum is usually similar to that of appendiceal carcinoids. While most carcinoids in Meckel's diverticula present as incidental findings at post-mortem examination or laparotomy, their metastatic potential and subsequent behaviour resembles that of other small intestinal carcinoid tumours.