Objective To analyze the application value of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of pancreatic masses, and provide reference for improving the detection rate of pancreatic cancer in the future. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze 40 patients with pancreatic cancer who were confirmed by pathology in the hospital. The patients with pancreatitis were classified as 60 patients with pancreatitis group. MSCT scan and MRI scan were performed to observe the distribution of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer under MSCT. The characteristics of MSCT in pancreatic cancer were summarized. The CT values of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis were compared. The characteristics of pancreatic cancer under MRI were observed. The pathological results were used to record the diagnosis of MSCT and MRI, and the false positive and false negative were recorded. The specificity, sensitivity and coincidence rate of diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by MSCT and MRI were calculated. The staging results of pancreatic cancer were recorded by MSCT and MRI. Results 1.The characteristics of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer MSCT imaging, pancreatic cancer group density abnormal rate, localized rate of enlargement, pancreatic diffuse enlargement rate, non-tumor uneven enhancement rate, dilated pancreatic duct penetrating lesion rate compared with pancreatitis The group was low, the rate of weak weakening of nodules or lumps, the rate of peri-pancreatic lymph node enlargement, and the rate of peri-pancreatic vascular invasion were higher than those of pancreatitis group, P<0.05. Pancreatic cancer was irregular, enlarged, and lesions. The density is uneven, enhancing the low-density shadow of the pancreas in the early stage of scanning. 2 The CT value of patients with pancreatic cancer was higher than that of the control group at each enhanced scan period, P<0.05. The pancreatic masses of pancreatic cancer patients diagnosed by 3MRI were slightly lower or lower than T1W1, T2WI was mixed signal or slightly higher signal; the peripheral fat of tumor infiltrating pancreas was high signal and had low signal fringe. There were 5 false positives and 8 false negatives in 4CT. 5 false positives and 2 false negatives in MRI; there was no significant difference in MRI diagnostic sensitivity, coincidence rate, specificity and MSCT, P>0.05. 5 The pathological examination was 11 cases in the early stage and 49 cases in the advanced stage. There were 7 cases in the early diagnosis of MSCT, 42 cases in the advanced stage, 8 cases in the early stage of MRI, and 45 cases in the advanced stage. The MSCT was compared with MRI, P>0.05. Conclusion The specificity, sensitivity and coincidence rate of MSCTA and MRI in the identification of pancreatic masses such as pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are comparable, but both have their own advantages. They are all good diagnostic methods. The specific application should be combined with physician recommendations and patient needs. The choice, if necessary through joint use, will combine the advantages of both.