Objective    To investigate the value of multivoxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (

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H-MRS) in contusion and laceration area of mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults.     Methods    Twenty-eight TBI patients definitely diagnosed were recruited in this study

including 16 moderate TBI whose Glasgow coma scores were in 9-12 and 12 mild TBI whose Glasgow coma scores were in 13-15. The spectrum for NAA

Cho

Cr and other metabolite peaks in contusion and laceration area were measured and NAA/Cr

NAA/Cho

Cho/Cr ratios were calculated for each voxel.     Results    In multivoxel

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H-MRS for the lesion areas

the ratios of NAA/Cr

NAA/

Cho and Cho/Cr changed significantly compared with those of 16 normal controls (P0.01). The ratio of NAA/Cr in contusion and laceration area in those with moderate TBI was significantly lower than those with mild TBI (P0.01)

but the ratios of NAA/Cho and Cho/Cr showed no significant statistical difference between them (P0.05).     Conclusion    Multivoxel

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H-MRS may have an important clinical value in detecting and assessing early mild-to-moderate brain trauma. NAA/Cr ratio of the injured region can reflect the severity of cerebral injury.