Objective To analyze the application value of multi-slice spiral CT and MRI in the clinical diagnosis of liver tumor. Methods The clinical data of 60 patients pathologically confirmed with liver tumor and admitted into the hospital from April 2013 to April 2015 were collected. They respectively received multi-slice spiral CT and MRI scan. The imaging features of liver tumors were summarized and the application value of multi-slice spiral CT and MRI in the differential diagnosis of liver tumors were analyzed. Results Among the 60 cases of patients with liver tumors, there were 68 lesions detected in arterial phase, of which there were 28 high-density lesions, 8 low-density lesions and 10 equidensity lesions. There were 40 lesions detected in portal venous phase which included 22 low density lesions. There were 4 cases of patients with CT plain scan showed no abnormal findings. MRI test showed that T2WI sequence suggested the presence of abnormal signals. After enhanced scanning, lesions were displayed clearly. Conclusion Multi-slice spiral CT and MRI scan can fully reflect the blood supply of hepatic tumor, and improve the detection rate. The combination of both methods can provide reliable basis for the differential diagnosis of liver tumors, which is worthy to be popularized.