Objective To investigate the value of abdominal multislice spiral CT plain scan in the diagnosis of acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis(ASMVT)in plateau area.Methods 27 patients with ASMVT were retrospectively analyzed,and 40 healthy patients and 29 patients with chronic mountain disease(CMS)were taken as control group.The difference in diameter and CT value of superior mesenteric vein among all groups was compared.Results The diameter of superior mesenteric vein in ASMVT group was(1.63±0.34)cm,which was significantly larger than that in CMS group(1.48±0.20)cm and healthy control group(1.21±0.14)cm,and there was statistical difference among all groups(P<0.05).The CT value of superior mesenteric vein in ASMVT group was(63.24±6.13)HU,which was significantly higher than that in CMS group(58.44±4.67)HU and healthy control group(45.83±4.16)HU,and there was significant difference among all groups(P<0.05).When the optimal threshold of superior mesenteric vein CT value was 55.47HU,the sensitivity of the diagnosis of ASMVT was 88.89%and the specificity was 75%.Conclusion CT plain scan showed increased density of superior mesenteric veins and high peripheral adipose space leakage indicating ASMVT.