Risk map generation for keyhole neurosurgery using fuzzy logic for trajectory evaluation

Planning safe trajectories in keyhole neurosurgery requires a high level of accuracy in order to reach small anatomical structures in operations such as biopsies, deep brain stimulation and other therapy/diagnostic procedures. In this study, we propose a user interface that assists the neurosurgeon to select the entry point of the procedure using an atlas which displays the risk of the different linear trajectories from the head surface skin to the target. The risk assignment is carried out in two main steps, a weighted sum which depends on the distance of a single voxel to other risk structures and a second criteria using fuzzy rules to take into account other qualities such as length, which is the main contribution of this work. As a result, we present risk maps of two targets and visualize the less risky trajectories according to the system.