Peter Kerley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 October 1900 |
| Died | 14 May 1979 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation | Radiologist |
| Known for |
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| Notable work | A Textbook of X-ray Diagnosis by British Authors |
| Spouse | Olivia MacNamee 1929 |
| Children | 2 |
SirPeter James KerleyKCVOCBE (1900–1979) was an Irishradiologist famous for his role in the lung surgery ofKing George VI and the naming of the radiological sign in heart failure,Kerley lines.
Kerley had his initial radiological training in Vienna at a time when it was the new science. On his return, he completed his studies in Cambridge and took up a post inWestminster Hospital. Here, he worked closely withSir Clement Price Thomas and also edited a major radiology textbook.
Following his early return from India and Singapore duringWorld War II, Kerley continued his work in radiology of the heart and lungs and became radiology advisor to theMinistry of Health.
Throughout his working career, he received numerous awards, honours and directorships, going on to achieve royal recognition and worldwide acclaim as one of the best radiologists of his time.
Born in 1900 inDundalk, a town between Belfast and Dublin, Peter James Kerley was second-youngest of 14 children. His father was a low income grocer and could not afford Kerley's education. However, his uncle, Augustine Henry, a talentedarboriculturalist, took charge over this.[1]
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A graduate ofUniversity College Dublin (1923), Kerley spent a year training in radiology inVienna. His interest in radiology of the heart and lungs stemmed from this new specialty which was still somewhat novel and Vienna at this time was its epicenter.[citation needed]
Then travelling to theUK, he achieved theD.M.R.E fromCambridge University and obtained hisM.D. from the University of Ireland in 1932.[2]
Kerley assistedSeymour Cochrane Shanks to edit a major radiology textbook, 'A Textbook of X-ray Diagnosis by British Authors' in 1939. The first two editions ofRecent Advances in Radiology was another later book, Kerley had spent time to organise.[2]
He became director ofradiology at theWestminster Hospital in 1939 and also became affiliated with theRoyal Chest Hospital, London.[2] At the time, Clement Price Thomas was an eminent thoracic surgeon. Kerley and Price Thomas formed a close connection which continued through their careers, influencing and molding Kerley's career pathway significantly.[2]
Kerley wrote numerous articles including his celebrated St Cyres lecture, the ‘Radiology of the Pulmonary Circulation’ and also edited theJournal of the Faculty of Radiologists.[2]
Kerley was involved at various times in his career, with theNational Heart Hospital,King Edward VII's Sanatorium, Midhurst, theMinistry of Aviation,Shell andEsso.[2]
Whilst working at Westminster and the Royal Chest Hospital, Kerley published on the X-ray features of earlyPulmonary tuberculosis. As well as his 'B lines' incongestive heart failure he also reviewed X-ray changes incongenital lung diseases,congenital heart disease, intrathoracic aneurysm andbronchiectasis. He gave one of the earliest accounts of chest X-ray and contrast, that is bronchography and lipiodol.[3]
On Sunday 23 September 1951, the thoracic surgical team from Westminster hospital, under the lead surgeon,Clement Price Thomas, resected the lung tumour that was obstructing the king's left lung airways. Kerley was a key figure in the investigations during the king's illness in the days prior to the operation. His review of theX-rays led to the king returning to London from Balmoral and a bulletin stating "in view of the structural changes referred to in the last bulletin we have advised His Majesty to undergo an operation in the near future". In return, he received a 'New year's honour' in the London Gazette in 1952 which also resulted in Kerley's long-term relationship with royalty and a later knighthood.[4]
Olivia MacNamee was one of the London School of Economics first female students when she met Kerley. They married in 1929. Their two daughters, Barbara andJocelyn, both became doctors. Olivia died in 1973, 6 years before Kerley.[1][2]
Kerley had humour and appreciated the outdoors.[5] He particularly enjoyed fishing and would travel to theRiver Dee to catch salmon. Other pastimes included golf and shooting.[2]
Kerley received many awards and honours during his working life and after retirement. The Toronto Radiological Society awarded him theRöntgen award in 1944. He received theOrder of the British Empire (CBE) in 1951 and in 1959 he became a member of honour of theChicago Radiological Society, an honorary fellow of theAmerican College of Radiologists and theAustralasian College of Radiology. In 1962 he was made an honorary fellow of theFaculty of Radiologists,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin.[5]
He wasknighted byQueen Elizabeth II in 1972 in recognition of his services to radiology and as radiologist to the Royal Family.[4]
In honour of his presidency, he was awarded the gold medal from the Royal College of Radiologists in 1976.[2]
The Sir Peter Kerley Lecture of theRoyal College of Radiologists was named after him.[5] Its funds were later merged to establish the Couch Kerley Travelling Fellowship.[6]
He discovered several of themedical signs used in interpretingradiographs. Famous for his 'B' lines,Kerley B lines are a finding of congestive heart failure.[3] These are short parallel lines perpendicular to the laterallung surface, indicative of increased opacity in the pulmonarysepta.Kerley A lines andKerley C lines are related findings.[1]
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