Objective To investigate the feasibility of using the gadolinium-DTPA (GdDTPA injection) at low concentration as a positive MRI contrast agents to diagnose the duodenal diverticulum. Methods Thin layer MRI scans with and without oral contrast agents were performed in the patients with suspected duodenal diverticula. Results Among 55 patients, 46 cases were found in the descending duodenum, 9 were found in the horizontal part of duodenum. Sixty-five diverticula were detected in all the patients. Routinely thin layer MRI scans showed that 59 diverticulum contains gas-liquid borderline or gas, 6 diverticulum just exhibited as the pocket hernia shadow in duodenal wall. Thin layer MRI scans with oral contrast agent showed all 65 diverticula were filled with contrast agent. Reconstructed images displayed the cervical part and cavity of the diverticula clearly. Conclusion MRI thin layer scan with oral low concentration of contrast agent can help to the diagnosis of duodenal diverticulum. Three-dimensional reconstruction was comparable with upper gastrointestinal barium meal examination. It can be used as a powerful supplement for the suspicious diverticula diagnosis