- Kerley lines
Kerley lines are a sign seen on
chest x-ray s with interstitialpulmonary edema . They are thin linear pulmonary opacities caused by fluid or cellular infiltration into the interstitium of the lungs.They are named for
Peter Kerley .cite web |url=http://www.radiology.ie/about/history.htm |title=Faculty of Radiologists . About the Faculty . Faculty History |format= |work= |accessdate=]Associated conditions
They are suggestive for the diagnosis of
congestive heart failure , but are also seen in various non-cardiac conditions such aspulmonary fibrosis , interstitial deposition ofheavy metal particles orcarcinomatosis of the lung.Chronic Kerley B lines may be caused by fibrosis or
hemosiderin deposition caused by recurrentpulmonary oedema .Types
Kerley A lines are longer (at least 2cm) 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 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 thecostophrenic angles on the PA radiograph, and in the substernal region on lateral radiographs.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.
ee also
*
Flash pulmonary edema References
External links
* [http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1556807671 Kerley B lines] - GPnotebook.
* [http://www.hcoa.org/hcoacme/chf-cme/chf00026.htm An example of Kerley B] - hcoa.org.
* [http://info.med.yale.edu/intmed/cardio/imaging/findings/kerley_lines/index.html Cardiothoracic imaging - Kerley's lines] - Yale University.
* [http://www.medstudents.com.br/terin/terin7.htm Causes of pulmonary edema] - medstudents.com.br
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