Objective To explore the CT and MRI features of abdominal extra-adrenal and spinal paraganglioma and the diagnosis value of three phases dynamic enhancement scanning for it. Methods The CT and MRI findings of 19 patients pathologically confirmed abdominal extra-adrenal and spinal paraganglioma were retrospectively studied and compared with pathological features. Results Single tumor was found in all 19 patients. The disease was located in the retroperitoneum in 12 cases. On the CT plain scan, the leision presented as slightly low attenuation, while in three-phase dynamic enhancement scanning, 4 of them showed "progressive delayed enhancement". The histologic examination showed tumor cells are arranged in an alveolar or nesting pattern, with abundant capillaries in interstitial substance. 6 cases showed "slow in and slow out" enhanced mode and 2 cases showed "fast in and slow out" enhanced mode. Histopathologically, tumor cells formed in organoid patterns, surrounded moderate or abundant hematococoel. 5 cases located in urinary bladder. The leision manifested as homogeneous isodensity on the CT palin scan and slightly hypointensity on T1WI and isointensity on T2WI, while in three-phase dynamic enhance scan, they enhanced obviously in the artery phase, and then drop slowly in the portal and delay phase. Histopathologically, tumor cells showed string-like or nesting pattern , surrounded moderate or abundant hematococoel. 2 cases located in the spine, and multiple punctate and serpiginous structures of signal void due to high-velocity flow were noted around and within the tumors on all sequences were seen. None had lymphatic metastasis, while lumbar vertebral body and accessory metastasis occurred in one case. Conclusion There are certain characteristics of abdominal extra-adrenal paraganglioma, on the CT or MRI imaging. CT dynamic enhancement scanning has a preferable diagnosis value, because it can reasonably reflect the inner composition of the tumors. Paragangliomas occurring in spine are extremely rare, and it is very difficult to diagnose, but the multiple punctate and serpiginous structures of signal void around and within the tumors on all sequences may be the characteristic sign of it.