Although not common, Mirizzi's syndrome (type 1) is a differential diagnosis in a patient with cholecystitis and obstructive jaundice, after a thorough clinical assessment. The jaundice would be resolved by cholecystectomy.

We present a case of obstructive jaundice without biliary stones. This was due to a sclerotrophic gallbladder causing compression (Mirizzi's syndrome) or adhesions to the extrahepatic biliary tree, pain and recurrent cholecystitis. The jaundice resolved following cholecystectomy. Mirizzi's syndrome should be suspected in a patient with cholecystitis and obstructive jaundiice.