Objective      To study the application of cortical mapping methods of blood oxygen level-dependent-magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) for preoperative localization of language areas and intrao-perative direct electrical cortical stimulation (DECS) of language areas in awake anesthesia in assisting to remove brain tumors in language areas.       Methods      Cortical mapping data of language areas was collected from 15 patients with brain tumors in language areas by BOLD-MRI and/or intraoperative DECS in awake anesthesia

and the data combined with neuronavigation assisted-microscopy were applied for the removal of brain tumors in  language areas.       Results      The images of language areas were successfully obtained from the 15 patients by pre-operative BOLD-MRI

and after evaluation the language areas were localized by both preoperative BOLD and intraoperative DECS in 6 patients. There were total resection in 10 patients

subtotal resection in 3 patients and partial resection in 2 patients based on the protection of language areas. After the operation

there were 6 patients with significantly improved language function

5 patients with unchanged language function

2 patients with transient sensory aphasia and 2 patients with deteriorated language function.       Conclusion      Functional cortical mapping including preoperative BOLD-MRI and intraoperative DECS has a good clinical value for the localization of language areas. It can increase the extent of tumor resection without impairing the language area

reduce postoperative morbidity

and improve the life quality of the patients with brain tumor.