Kerley lines

Kerley lines

WikiDoc Resources for Kerley lines
Articles
Most recent articles on Kerley lines Most cited articles on Kerley lines Review articles on Kerley lines Articles on Kerley lines in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Kerley lines Images of Kerley lines Photos of Kerley lines Podcasts & MP3s on Kerley lines Videos on Kerley lines
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Kerley lines Bandolier on Kerley lines TRIP on Kerley lines
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Kerley lines at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Kerley lines Clinical Trials on Kerley lines at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Kerley lines NICE Guidance on Kerley lines NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Kerley lines CDC on Kerley lines
Books
Books on Kerley lines
News
Kerley lines in the news Be alerted to news on Kerley lines News trends on Kerley lines
Commentary
Blogs on Kerley lines
Definitions
Definitions of Kerley lines
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Kerley lines Discussion groups on Kerley lines Patient Handouts on Kerley lines Directions to Hospitals Treating Kerley lines Risk calculators and risk factors for Kerley lines
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Kerley lines Causes & Risk Factors for Kerley lines Diagnostic studies for Kerley lines Treatment of Kerley lines
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Kerley lines
International
Kerley lines en Espanol Kerley lines en Francais
Business
Kerley lines in the Marketplace Patents on Kerley lines
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Kerley lines

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Kerley lines are a sign seen on chest x-rays with interstitial pulmonary edema. They are thin linear pulmonary opacities caused by fluid or cellular infiltration into the interstitium of the lungs. They are suggestive for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, but are also seen in various non-cardiac conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial deposition of heavy metal particles or carcinomatosis of the lung. Chronic Kerley B lines may be caused by fibrosis or hemosiderin deposition caused by recurrent pulmonary oedema.

Kerley A lines

Kerley A lines are longer (at least 2 cm) unbranching lines coursing diagonally from the periphery toward the hila in the inner half 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 also present.

Kerley B lines

Kerley B lines 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 pleura. They are located peripherally in contact with the pleura, but are generally absent along fissural surfaces. They may be seen in any zone but are most frequently observed at the lung bases at the costophrenic angles on the PA radiograph, and in the substernal region on lateral radiographs.

Kerley C lines

Kerley C lines 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.

Diagnostic Findings

• 
  Plain film: Mitral stenosis, Kerley B lines
• 
  Plain film: Mitral stenosis, Kerley B lines
• 
  Plain film: Mitral stenosis, Kerley B lines

See also

• Peter Kerley
• Flash pulmonary edema

External links

• Kerley B lines - GPnotebook.
• An example of Kerley B - hcoa.org.
• Cardiothoracic imaging - Kerley's lines - Yale University.
• Causes of pulmonary edema - medstudents.com.br