Septal lines in lung
Updates to Article Attributes
Septal lines, also known as Kerley lines, are seen when the interlobular septa in the pulmonary interstitium become prominent. This may be because of lymphatic engorgement or oedema of the connective tissues of the interlobular septa. They usually occur when pulmonary capillary wedge pressures reach 20-25 mmHg.
Types of Kerley lines
Kerley A lines
These are 2-6 cm long oblique lines that are <1 mm thick and course towards the hilarhila. They represent thickening of the interlobular septa that contain lymphatic connections between the perivenous and bronchoarterial lymphatics deep within the lung parenchyma. On chest radiographs they are seen to cross normal vascular markings and extend radially from the hilum to the upper lobes. HRCT is the best modality for the demonstration of Kerley A lines.
Kerley B lines
These are 1-2 cm thin lines in the peripheries of the lung. They are perpendicular to, and extend out to the pleural surface. They represent thickened subpleural interlobular septa and are usually seen at the lung bases.
Kerley C lines
Kerley C lines are short lines which do not reach the pleura (i.e. not B or D lines) and do not course radially away from the hila (i.e. not A lines).
Kerley D lines
Kerley D lines are exactly the same as Kerley B lines, except that they are seen on lateral chest radiographs in the retrosternal air gap 2.
Pathology
Causes
- pulmonary oedema
- neoplasm:
- lymphangitic spread of cancer (e.g lymphangitis carcinomatosis): Kerley lines with a fine peripheral reticular pattern
- lymphoma
- pneumonia:
- interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
- pneumoconiosis
- sarcoidosis
History and etymology
Kerley lines are named after Peter J. Kerley (1900-1979), an English radiologist who in addition to describing the now known as Kerley lines, also attended King George VI 3-4.
See also
-<p><strong>Septal lines</strong>, also known as <strong>Kerley lines</strong>, are seen when the <a href="/articles/interlobular-septal-thickening">interlobular septa</a> in the <a href="/articles/pulmonary-interstitium">pulmonary interstitium</a> become prominent. This may be because of lymphatic engorgement or oedema of the connective tissues of the interlobular septa. They usually occur when pulmonary capillary wedge pressures reach 20-25 mmHg.</p><h4>Types of Kerley lines</h4><h5>Kerley A lines</h5><p>These are 2-6 cm long oblique lines that are <1 mm thick and course towards the hilar. They represent thickening of the interlobular septa that contain lymphatic connections between the perivenous and bronchoarterial lymphatics deep within the lung parenchyma. On chest radiographs they are seen to cross normal vascular markings and extend radially from the hilum to the upper lobes. HRCT is the best modality for the demonstration of Kerley A lines.</p><h5>Kerley B lines</h5><p>These are 1-2 cm thin lines in the peripheries of the lung. They are perpendicular to, and extend out to the pleural surface. They represent thickened subpleural interlobular septa and are usually seen at the lung bases. </p><h5>Kerley C lines</h5><p>Kerley C lines are short lines which do not reach the pleura (i.e. not B or D lines) and do not course radially away from the hila (i.e. not A lines).</p><h5>Kerley D lines</h5><p>Kerley D lines are exactly the same as Kerley B lines, except that they are seen on lateral chest radiographs in the retrosternal air gap <sup>2</sup>. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Causes</h5><ul>- +<p><strong>Septal lines</strong>, also known as <strong>Kerley lines</strong>, are seen when the <a href="/articles/interlobular-septal-thickening">interlobular septa</a> in the <a href="/articles/pulmonary-interstitium">pulmonary interstitium</a> become prominent. This may be because of lymphatic engorgement or oedema of the connective tissues of the interlobular septa. They usually occur when pulmonary capillary wedge pressures reach 20-25 mmHg.</p><h4>Types of Kerley lines</h4><h5>Kerley A lines</h5><p>These are 2-6 cm long oblique lines that are <1 mm thick and course towards the hila. They represent thickening of the interlobular septa that contain lymphatic connections between the perivenous and bronchoarterial lymphatics deep within the lung parenchyma. On chest radiographs they are seen to cross normal vascular markings and extend radially from the hilum to the upper lobes. HRCT is the best modality for the demonstration of Kerley A lines.</p><h5>Kerley B lines</h5><p>These are 1-2 cm thin lines in the peripheries of the lung. They are perpendicular to, and extend out to the pleural surface. They represent thickened subpleural interlobular septa and are usually seen at the lung bases. </p><h5>Kerley C lines</h5><p>Kerley C lines are short lines which do not reach the pleura (i.e. not B or D lines) and do not course radially away from the hila (i.e. not A lines).</p><h5>Kerley D lines</h5><p>Kerley D lines are exactly the same as Kerley B lines, except that they are seen on lateral chest radiographs in the retrosternal air gap <sup>2</sup>. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Causes</h5><ul>
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