Objective To explore the value of multi-slice CT (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating the postoperative efficacy of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods The clinical data of 56 HCC patients treated with TACE for the first time in our hospital were collected. All patients were given DSA, MSCT and MRI at 3 months after TACE. The postoperative tumors residual or recurrence and tumor capsule were compared. Results There were statistical significance in the displaying rate of presence or absence of tumors residual or recurrence between MSCT scan and DSA standard group(P<0.05). And there was no statistical significance in the displaying rate of presence or absence of tumor residual or recurrence between MRI scan and DSA standard group (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the accuracy and sensitivity of MSCT and MRI scans in determining the residual or recurrence of tumors after TACE (P<0.05). MSCT and MRI showed that the detection rate of tumor capsule after TACE was significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion MRI scan has high diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosis of postoperative residual or recurrent tumors of HCC patients after TACE, and it can further guide clinical treatment.