Objective To investigate the MRI manifestations of ovarian tumor torsion and to evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI for ovarian tumor torsion. Data and methods The MRI data of 8 patients with surgically confirmed ovarian tumor torsion were retrospectively analyzed. All eight cases showed twisted tumor tissues on MRI, which appeared as small, vague, solid mass-like structures next to the tumor, and three of them showed swirling changes. There were 5 cases of irregular thickening of tumor wall or separation, 2 cases of linear hemorrhage of the cyst wall and 1 case of pelvic hemorrhage. Intraoperatively, we saw 5 cases of 360° tumor tip torsion and 3 cases of 720° tumor tip torsion, and pathology showed 5 cases of bruising and necrosis of the tumor wall. Conclusion: MRI can correctly diagnose most ovarian tumor torsions when combined with clinical history.