Kerley

Kerley lines are a radiographic sign that represents interstitial pulmonary edema. They are named after the British radiologist, Peter Kerley, who first described them in 1951.

Types

There are three types of Kerley lines: A, B, and C.

• Kerley A lines are long, linear opacities that extend to the lung periphery. They are typically 2-6 cm in length and are caused by fluid-filled interlobular septa in the lung periphery.

• Kerley B lines are short, horizontal lines at the lung bases. They are typically less than 2 cm in length and are caused by fluid-filled interlobular septa in the lung bases.

• Kerley C lines are less commonly seen and represent thickened subpleural interlobular septa.

Clinical significance

Kerley lines are most commonly seen in patients with congestive heart failure, but they can also be seen in other conditions that cause pulmonary edema, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Kerley lines is typically made on a chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest.

Treatment

The treatment of Kerley lines involves treating the underlying cause of the pulmonary edema. This may involve medications to reduce fluid overload, such as diuretics, or treatment of the underlying heart or lung disease.

See also

• Interstitial lung disease
• Pulmonary edema
• Congestive heart failure

References

Kerley Resources
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