Background To compare the differences in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors among multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US). Methods Sixty cases of retroperitoneal tumors admitted in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2019 were collected and related data were analyzed. After admission, patients were examined by MSCT, MRI, and US, and the pathological results of the patients were used as the controls. The differences in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors were compared with the results of MSCT, MRI, and US. Results Thirteen cases of benign tumors were diagnosed by MSCT, 47 cases were malignant, and 1 case was false benign, with diagnosis accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 98.33%, 97.92% and 92.30%, respectively. Thirteen cases of benign tumors were diagnosed by MRI, 47 cases of malignant tumors, and 1 case was false benign, with diagnosis accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 98.33%, 97.92%, and 92.30%, respectively. Fourteen cases of benign tumor were diagnosed by US, 46 cases were malignant, and 2 cases was false benign, with diagnosis accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 96.67%, 97.92%, and 85.71%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of MSCT, MRI, and US in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors (P>0.05). Conclusions MSCT, MRI, and US tests are highly accurate, sensitive, and specific in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors.