The chest radiograph remains a cornerstone diagnostic tool in the assessment of respiratory and cardiac distress. Among the various signs utilized to diagnose pulmonary pathology, Kerley lines are a specific indicator of interlobular septal thickening. These lines are not primary disease entities but rather a radiographic symptom of underlying physiological disruptions, primarily involving the pulmonary lymphatic system and interstitial fluid dynamics. Understanding the distinction between the three types of Kerley lines (A, B, and C) is essential for clinicians in differentiating between cardiogenic pulmonary edema, viral pneumonia, and neoplastic infiltration.
Kerley lines represent a critical radiographic finding in the evaluation of cardiopulmonary disease. Originally described by Peter James Kerley in 1933, these distinct linear opacities visible on chest radiographs signify the thickening of the interlobular septa within the lung. While most commonly associated with pulmonary edema resulting from left heart failure, their presence can also indicate malignant pathologies such as lymphangitis carcinomatosa. This paper delineates the classification of Kerley lines (A, B, and C), explores the underlying pathophysiology, and discusses their diagnostic relevance in modern medicine. kerley lines
Kerley lines can be detected on: