MyPACS.net: Radiology Teaching Files > Case 1666444

never visited KERLEY B LINES IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Contributed by: Rolando Reyna, Radiologist, Hospital Santo Tomas, Panama.
Patient: 48 year old male
History: man with history of acute shortness of breath, chronic hypertension and chronic renal disease.
Images:[small]larger

Fig. 1
Findings: CXR: shows basal kerley B lines in the left hemithorax, with pleural effusion on the right side. There is a cardiomegaly and apical vascular redistribution.
Diagnosis: Congestive Heart Failure
Discussion:

Kerley B lines


Kerley B lines are linear opacities seen on the chest radiograph. They are 1-2 cm long horizontal lines which meet the pleura at right angles. They are typically seen as a ladder up the side of the lungs beginning at the costophrenic angle.

Kerley B lines represent interlobular lymphatics which have been distended by fluid or tissue.

Kerley B lines are usually an indication of raised pulmonary venous pressure due to:

Congestive Heart FailureClinical Usually from left heart
left ventricular failure
mitral stenosis

Other causes include:

lymphangitis carcinomatosa
pulmonary fibrosis
parasitic infection

X RAY FINDINGS
Thickening of the interlobular septa
Kerley B lines
Peribronchial cuffing
Wall is normally hairline thin
Thickening of the fissures
Fluid in the subpleural space in continuity with interlobular septa
Pleural effusions

References:

WWW.learningradiology.com
RadioGraphics 1999; 19: 1507.

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Additional Details:

Case Number: 1666444Last Updated: 05-22-2005
Anatomy: Heart   Pathology: Other
Modality: Conventional RadiographExam Date: Access Level: Readable by all users

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