Objective To analyze the clinical diagnosis value of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in the diagnosis of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. Methods A total of 24 patients with intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct treated from August 2015 to August 2017 in our hospital were selected. All patients received the CT and MRI examination. According to the pathological results, the diagnosis value was analyzed. Results According to the pathological results, 21 cases were confirmed of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct and 3 cases were benign lesions. The CT examination indicated 17 cases and the results were proven of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (80.95%). The MRI examination indicated 20 cases were proven with intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (95.24%); the diagnosis rate based on the MRI was higher than CT (P＜0.05), the positive predictive value based on two examination methods was not significantly different (P＞0.05), the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value based on the MRI was higher than CT (P＜0.05). Conclusion Both of CT and MRI have a higher diagnostic value in intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. MRI has the higher diagnostic accuracy in the malignant tumor and more typical imaging features. It is worthy of clinical application and promotion.