Diffusion-weighted imaging is a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technology used to measure the Brownian motion of water molecules in tissues. The technique, therefore, is expected to contribute to the evaluation of diseased states of the organs and tissues. However, due to its inherent susceptibility to motion artifacts, the clinical application of the imaging has been limited to the brain (Thoeny and De Keyzer 2007). Due to several technical innovations (particularly faster imaging techniques), diffusion-weighted imaging can now be applied to extracranial organs for imaging diagnosis (Takahara et al. 2004). Here, we describe tissue characterization of salivary gland tumors by using diffusion-weighted imaging with a surface coil. Using this technique, clinicians can know the 2-dimensional (2D) distribution of various tissues in salivary gland tumors before surgery; this information may help predict tumor characteristics, including its benign or malignant state.