= long, upper lobe, hilar radiation → think interstitial edema (heart failure) or lymphangitic spread of cancer . Less common than Kerley B. Good specificity when present acutely.
Causes of Kerley B Lines
On a radiograph, it is important to distinguish Kerley A lines from normal blood vessels. Vessels tend to branch and taper as they move toward the edges of the lungs, whereas Kerley lines are straight or slightly curved and do not follow the standard branching pattern of the anatomy. kerley a line
Physically, Kerley A lines have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other lung markings. They are usually 2 to 6 centimeters long and very thin, measuring less than 1 millimeter in width. Unlike Kerley B lines, which are found at the lung bases near the ribs, Kerley A lines are located in the upper and mid-lung fields. They radiate outward from the hilum (the central area where vessels enter the lungs) toward the periphery, but they do not typically reach the edge of the lung wall. = long, upper lobe, hilar radiation → think