Radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry: a promising method for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and the assessment of low-energy fracture risk

Osteoporosis is a metabolic skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mass, impaired microarchitecture, and an increased risk of fractures. Low-energy fractures resulting from osteoporosis lead to severe complications and patient mortality, diminish quality of life, and represent a serious medical, social, and economic burden for society. Timely diagnosis of the disease and prediction of fracture risk remain largely unresolved issues, requiring the development and implementation of new technologies. Radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry is an innovative ultrasound-based technique for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk. Its main advantage over other ultrasound densitometry methods is the assessment of bone status not in peripheral skeletal sites, but in the principal regions used for diagnosing the disease—the lumbar vertebrae and the proximal femur. Unlike dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, considered the gold standard, radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry does not measure bone mineral density but instead assesses integral parameters of bone status by comparing the spectra of ultrasound signals reflected from the bone surface in patients with osteoporosis, healthy individuals, and individuals with a history of low-energy fractures. An important advantage of radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry is the portability of its equipment, which increases accessibility in remote regions and for less mobile patient groups. International studies have demonstrated a high level of concordance between radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry findings, providing the basis for recommending this new technique for clinical use in patients with osteoporosis in several countries. At the same time, the different underlying principle of the method offers potential benefits that still require further validation. This article reviews the potential applications and unresolved issues of radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry based on analysis of the current scientific data. The authors also present several clinical examples of radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry application in patients with osteoporosis and hereditary systemic diseases and discuss the outcomes of its use.