A system and method for facilitating DBS electrode trajectory planning using a machine learning (ML)-based feature identification scheme configured to identify and distinguish between various regions of interest (ROIs) and regions of avoidance (ROAs) in a patient's brain scan image. In one arrangement, standard orientation image slices as well as re-sliced images in non-standard orientations are provided in a labeled input dataset for training a CNN/ANN for distinguishing between ROIs and ROAs. Upon identification of the ROIs and ROAs in the patient's brain scan image, an optimal trajectory for implanting a DBS lead may be determined relative to a particular ROI while avoiding any ROAs.