Purpose: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings for the differentiation of gastrointestinal (GI) benign and malignant schwannomas.

Methods: Five cases of benign gastric schwannomas (GS) and two cases of malignant small intestine (SI) schwannomas identified over a five-year period were retrospectively reviewed by CT. We reviewed the CT findings with regard to tumor size, contour, margin, growth pattern, enhancement pattern, the presence or absence of necrosis, and perilesional lymph nodes.

Results: Benign GS appeared as submucosal tumors with the CT features of round, well-defined, exophytic or mixed growth patterns and homogeneous progressive enhancement. However, malignant SI schwannomas appeared as slightly lobulated, well-defined, exophytic mixed density mass with heterogeneous progressive enhancement. Irregular patchy necrotic density and perilesional lymph nodes were seen in SI schwannomas.