In modern neurosurgical practice, a surgeon can see a patient’s fiber tracts (nerve tracts) on a monitor in the operating room. This design study investigates the benefit of adding the uncertainty of the tracts and aims to improve the surgeon’s orientation while reducing visual clutter.

Based on an interview with a neurosurgeon and our experience during a surgery visit, we designed, implemented, and evaluated a new visualization method for intraoperative use. We present two new visualization techniques: a partial hull that appears when a surgeon approaches it and a distance meter that serves as a warning tool.

We conclude that there is a need for the intraoperative visualization of fiber uncertainty and recommend doing clinical trials using these methods.