Objective To compare the clinical value of MRI and CT imaging examination in diagnosing the elderly multiple cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 135 cases of elderly patients with cerebral infarction were admitted to our hospital from October 2005 to October 2014 as the researching objects,and they were respectively detected by CT and MRI.Two methods at different times of the detection rate of cerebral infarction,cerebral infarction in different parts of different indicators were compared. Results (1)The total detection rate and cerebral infarction within 24h,24 - 72h,72h later detection rates of CT group were 55.56%,32.61%,46.15%,84.00%,MRI group were 95.56%,94.88%,97.44 %, 98.00%,and the two groups overall detection rate of cerebral infarction within 24h,24 - 72h detection rate difference was statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01);(2)The number of detected lesions,lesion size check the time and onset-Check time of MRI group was (2.39±0.55) a,(8.38±1.17) mm2,(10.59±1.32) min and (0.91±0.24) d,CT group were (1.87±0.37) months,(11.45±1.58) mm2,(18.67±2.17) min and (1.94±0.59) d, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05,P<0.01);(3)The detecting cases of right prefrontal,parietal lobe,basal ganglia the detection rate of infarct area and thalamus by MRI was significantly higher than CT (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with CT,MRI had gerater advantage for the diagnosis of multiple cerebral infarction among elderly,and it should be carried out in clinical practice.