Small retroperitoneal lymph node shadows may be caused by infection, lymphatic disease or tumor disease. 1. Infection: When bacterial, viral and other microbial infections occur in the abdominal organs, the retroperitoneal lymph nodes may proliferate and become larger, which may be manifested as lymph node shadows. At this time, appropriate antibiotics and antiviral drugs should be chosen to treat the infection. 2. Lymphatic diseases: lymphoma, leukemia and other lymphatic diseases can invade the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and lead to hyperplasia and enlargement, after complete examination and clear diagnosis, we need to follow the doctor’s instructions to give appropriate treatment. 3. Tumor disease: metastatic foci of gastrointestinal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and other cancers will invade and infiltrate the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and proliferate and differentiate in them, so it is necessary to treat the primary disease symptomatically and carry out the corresponding anti-tumor treatment. It should be noted that when small retroperitoneal lymph nodes appear, one should go to the hospital in time for examination and treatment under the guidance of doctors.