Objective To analyse the CT,MRI features of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma and improve the diagnosis.Methods Imaging feature of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma of 26 cases confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Distribution,size,shape,signal,dense,peritumor edema and invasion of adjacent structures of lesion were summarized.Results The locations of lesions included:temporosphenoid lobe (19 cases),frontal lobe (2 cases),the lateral and three ventricles in 1 case,occipital lobe (1 case),medulla oblongata (1 case),and cervical cord (1 case).The tumor size:maximum:82 mm × 40 mm × 70 mm,minimum:16 mm × 13 mm × 14 mm.Solid lesions (3 cases),solid lesions with necrosis (7 cases),solid and cystic lesions (16 cases),lesion with calcification (4 cases).The solid lesions of the tumors showed equal signal intensity or slightly low signal intensity on T1WI,and equal signal intensity or slightly high signal intensity on T2WI.The equidensite and high density on CT,peritumor edema degree:mild (2 cases),moderate (5 cases),severe (1 case).Conclusion The characteristic imaging features can help in the understanding and diagnosis of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.