Objective To evaluate the imaging characteristics of atypical meningioma and to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Methods 17 cases with atypical meningioma confirmed by pathology were studied retrospectively. All cases underwent MRI and 10 cases underwent CT examinations. Results There were 12 men and 5 women，ranged from 18 to 76 years old in age with average of (51.8±14.0) years. Most of the lesions were large with lobular form, and showed inhomogeneous density before and after contrast administration with cystic low density in tumor or tumor edge. In 9 cases, small spots and plaque calcification were observed. 6 cases were seen adjacent to the cranial bone invasion. The lesions demonstrated isointensity/slightly hypointensity(12cases), isointensity/slightly hyperintensity(5 cases) on T1WI, and slightly hyperintensity/isointensity mixed signal(15 cases)on T2WI. The lesions showed multiple cystic necrosis in tumor or tumor edge(12 cases). 15 cases of DWI are slightly higher/low signal. After Gd-DTPA injection, obvious inhomogeneous enhancement were showed in 14 cases. The lesions showed multiple flow void blood vessels in 15 cases. Slight peri-tumorous edema was found in 7 cases, moderate edema in 5 cases and marked edema in 5 patients. There were 13 cases of meningeal tail signs, including 7 cases of coarse short meningioneal tail signs. Conclusion The most of atypical meningiomas are of characteristics on CT and MRI, according to the patient's clinical history, which can help us to improve the diagnosis of the tumor．