Kerley lines

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Kerley lines are a

interstitium of the lungs. They are named after Irish neurologist and radiologist Peter Kerley.[1][2]

Associated conditions

They are suggestive for the diagnosis of

carcinomatosis of the lung. Chronic Kerley B lines may be caused by fibrosis or hemosiderin deposition caused by recurrent pulmonary edema
.

Types

Kerley A lines

These are longer (at least 2cm and up to 6cm) unbranching lines coursing diagonally from the

hila
out to the periphery of the lungs. They are caused by distension of anastomotic channels between peripheral and central lymphatics of the lungs. Kerley A lines are less commonly seen than Kerley B lines. Kerley A lines are never seen without Kerley B or C lines.

congestive heart failure
.

Kerley B lines

These are short parallel lines at the lung periphery. These lines represent interlobular septa, which are usually less than 1 cm in length and parallel to one another at right angles to the

costophrenic angles on the PA radiograph, and in the substernal region on lateral radiographs.[3]
Causes of Kerley B lines include pulmonary edema, lymphangitis carcinomatosa and malignant lymphoma, viral and mycoplasmal pneumonia, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, and sarcoidosis. They can be an evanescent sign on the chest x-ray of a patient in and out of heart failure.

Kerley C lines

These are the least commonly seen of the Kerley lines. They are short, fine lines throughout the lungs, with a reticular appearance. They may represent thickening of anastomotic lymphatics or superimposition of many Kerley B lines.

See also

  • Flash pulmonary edema

References

  1. ^ "Faculty of Radiologists . About the Faculty . Faculty History". Archived from the original on 2008-06-16.
  2. ^ "Biography of Peter James Kerley". WhoNamedIt. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Kerley B Lines". Chest Radiology. University of Virginia. 2013.

External links