Echolight is the common name for an innovative bone health monitoring technology called REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry) that has quietly been gaining acceptance across Europe and is revolutionizing the way bone health specialists assess and monitor not only bone density, but also bone quality and bone strength.If you are at risk for osteoporosis, an Echolight examination is an essential first step for you to keep your bones strong and healthy.
What does Echolight track?
With a quick and simple ultrasound, the Echolight technology allows an examiner to identify and scan a patient’s lumbar vertebrae (spine) and femoral neck (hip) bones for density and quality of bone microarchitecture. Within several minutes, the device automatically compares the patient’s examination with reference data from over 100,000 other patients in the database.
The technology measures the most common bone health factor — bone mineral density (BMD) — and generates a T-score and a Z-score that are commonly used to diagnose osteoporosis. Unlike previous technology, the Echolight also calculates a measure of bone quality —the Fragility Score.
But what exactly do these data points tell you about your bone health?
¨ Bone mineral density (BMD) — This is an actual measurement of the density of the bone (measured in g/cm2). The BMD is used to determine the T-Score and the Z-Score. A correct osteoporosis diagnosis is entirely dependent on accurate BMD data.
¨ T-score — This is a numeric value derived through statistical calculations that directly compares an individual’s BMD to the mean BMD value of a very large database of healthy 30-year-olds. A T-score value with a standard deviation of -2.5 from the mean value establishes a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
¨ Z-score — This is a numeric value derived in a similar manner as the T-Score, but instead, it compares your BMD to the BMD of people your own age and gender.
¨ Fragility score — This is a numeric value derived through statistical calculations using data obtained during the Echolight scan. After the data is compared to a database of people with and without fractures, the calculated value reflects the quality of your bone and how likely you are to sustain a fragility fracture.
Benefits of REMS Technology
¨ Assess your bone health without harmful ionizing radiation.
¨ Determine precise and correct bone health data.
¨ Analyze brand-new bone health information — the Fragility Score.
¨ Produce an automated report within several minutes.
¨ Help clinicians give you more accurate fracture risk assessments.
¨ Allow for early detection and diagnosis of low bone density and osteoporosis.
¨ Allow you to take a more proactive approach to bone health.
¨ More accurate bone density readings for type 2 diabetics, women who are shorter in height and lighter in weight, and people with osteoarthritis.
¨ Help in pre-operative bone assessment prior to joint replacement or spine fusion surgery.
¨ Safe even if you are pregnant.
DEXA VS. REMS
Unlike the commonly used DEXA technology, Echolight doesn’t use ionizing radiation (X‑rays) to analyze bone density. Another well‑recognized problem with DEXA assessments is a high error rate in how the DEXA scan is completed and/or interpreted.
A well-done DEXA is still considered the gold‑standard for BMD measurements, but an improperly done DEXA can produce incorrect BMD results that are imprecise and unreliable. This unreliability can result in recommendations for treatments that are not appropriate.
Because REMS analyzes raw unfiltered ultrasound signals, it recognizes even the smallest bone tissue details, deriving the most precise BMD measurements and bone quality measurements. And, in several minutes, the Echolight produces all the results needed to properly analyze bone health and diagnose osteoporosis for your medical provider. The precision, automation, and analysis capabilities of the REMS technology are unmatched.