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BACKGROUND/AIMS We aimed to investigate the value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation of benign-malignant diffuse bowel wall thickening (scirrhous colon carcinoma) and to discuss the diagnostic importance and potential use of apparent diffusion coefficient measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 41 patients (32 males, 9 females; mean age, 57 years) with diffuse bowel wall thickening diagnosed on computed tomography were included in this study. The magnetic resonance imaging was performed on a 1.5 T scanner (Siemens-Espree). Changes in the signal intensity of the lesions were determined by their appearance in images at b800 s/mm 2 , and apparent diffusion coefficient values were also calculated. Lesions were classified in two groups according to the presence of hyperintensity on b800 images and results of endoscopic biopsies. The differences in mean apparent diffusion coefficient values between the two groups were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test, and threshold values were determined with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS The difference between the mean apparent diffusion coefficient values of benign and malignant groups was statistically significant, and the apparent diffusion coefficient values of benign lesions were significantly higher than of malignant lesions (p