Kerley A And B Lines Jun 2026

Location: B lines are peripheral and basal; A lines are central and mid-to-upper lung.

Kerley lines are not just historical eponyms – they are active, clinically useful signs that every physician interpreting chest X-rays should recognize. Whether you're in the emergency department, ICU, or outpatient clinic, spotting a Kerley B line can be the difference between treating “simple pneumonia” and lifesaving therapy for acute decompensated heart failure. kerley a and b lines

Kerley lines represent fluid accumulation in the lung's interstitial space. The lung interstitium is divided into three compartments: Location: B lines are peripheral and basal; A

While the "Kerley" terminology originated with plain-film radiography, modern CT scans provide a much more detailed view of the interlobular septal thickening. On a high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan, these lines appear as a "reticular pattern." Despite the advancement of CT technology, the chest X-ray remains the primary screening tool for identifying Kerley A and B lines due to its speed and accessibility in emergency settings. Kerley lines represent fluid accumulation in the lung's