Abstract: Fifty one cases of esophageal carcinoma were examined by MRI.In 14 of these patients，the MRI findings were correlated with findings at surgery and pathology，MRI was found to be highly accurate in predicting tumor size，its extent and assessing invasion of adjacent mediastinal tissues and lymph nodes meatastases·Also MRI offers valuable information as to the operability of the tumor，and play an important role in the planning of treatment，tumors with evidence of tracheobronchial，aortic or pericardial invasion were considered to be unresectale. The rate of correspondente of tracheobronchial invasion was 92.8%，the rate of correspondence of aortic invasion was 92.8% also.MRI is an accurate method for assessing the spread of esophageal carcinoma·Its use can prevent unnecessary surgery in patients with inoperable tumors.The MRI findings of 15 patients with esophageal carcinoma following surgical treatment were reviewed.Among them 14 cases were found with intrathoracic recurrences or metastases·The MRI findings included mediastinal adenopathy，recurrence of esophago-gastric anastomoses，recurrence of esophageal stump and metastases of rib and lung. In our experience.MRI also had been used in follow up examination after surgical resection of esophageal carcinoma.