Metal artifact reduction leading to appearance of fractures in pedicle screws: illustrative case

This case emphasizes the importance of understanding imaging techniques that may impact interpretation and implications for surgical decision-making. Imaging artifacts should be considered when hardware fractures exist at multiple levels without suggestive history of new symptoms. Obtaining plain radiographs or images without MAR may assist in diagnostic uncertainty. Discussing MAR use with the radiology department at imaging acquisition may improve both imaging interpretations and resource utilization. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25358.