for clinical utility, elegance, and teaching value. Kerley B lines are a perfect example of why the physical exam and basic imaging still matter in a high-tech world. Next time you see them, tip your hat to Dr. Kerley—then reach for the furosemide.
Let’s break that down. The lungs are divided into tiny lobules, like a honeycomb. Each lobule is surrounded by connective tissue called the . Inside these septa run small veins and lymphatic channels. When the pressure in the left side of the heart rises (e.g., due to CHF or mitral valve disease), that pressure backs up into the pulmonary veins. This increases capillary hydrostatic pressure, forcing fluid out of the capillaries and into the interstitial space. The interlobular septa become fluid-logged—swollen, thickened, and more opaque to X-rays. When you see a Kerley B line, you are literally seeing a cross-section of a waterlogged "wall" between lung lobules. what is kerley b lines
Introduction: The Ghost in the Machine