Sonography, while a valuable tool in diagnosing placental abruption, has limitations in accurately identifying all cases. Research indicates that the imaging can miss a significant number of abruptions, with estimates suggesting that the failure rate can be quite high. The correct answer indicates that sonography can miss 50-80% of placental abruptions, reflecting the complexities involved in visualizing the placenta and detecting subtle abnormalities associated with abruption.
The high percentage stems from factors such as the varying degrees of abruption, the position of the placenta, and the timing of the ultrasound in relation to the onset of symptoms. In many cases, especially with partial abruptions or those that do not present with overt symptoms, the sonographic findings may appear normal, leading to underdiagnosis.