A system and method for planning a needle procedure include designating a target location within three-dimensional image data of a subject's body and defining a tentative route for insertion of a needle to the target location. The three-dimensional image data is processed to generate a graphic representation which indicates whether the tentative route intersects an obstacle of at least one type. In response to a user input, the graphic representation is then rotated about axes passing through the target location, thereby allowing selection of an updated route to the target which does not intersect an obstacle.