Kerley B lines are a subtle but powerful radiographic sign. Recognizing them can shift your differential diagnosis from primary lung disease to systemic causes like heart failure or malignancy. In the emergency setting, spotting these fine peripheral lines may be the first clue to impending pulmonary edema—and a lifesaving opportunity for early intervention.
Primarily found at the lung bases , near the costophrenic angles. kerley b lines on cxr
| Condition | Context | |-----------|---------| | | Most common cause. Look also for cardiomegaly, pleural effusions, and vascular redistribution. | | Lymphangitic carcinomatosis | Often unilateral or asymmetric; caused by metastatic tumor spread along lymphatics (e.g., breast, lung, stomach cancers). | | Interstitial lung disease | Sarcoidosis, asbestosis, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (though these usually present with more reticular changes). | | Pneumonia (viral/atypical) | Can cause transient septal thickening, usually with other parenchymal findings. | | Renal failure/fluid overload | May present with interstitial edema without primary heart disease. | Kerley B lines are a subtle but powerful radiographic sign
Kerley B lines are short, horizontal lines at the lung periphery, typically seen at the costophrenic angles on a chest X-ray. They are a type of interstitial lung marking. Primarily found at the lung bases , near