Health Encyclopedia

Hump behind the shoulders

Definition

Hump behind the shoulders is a lump of fat on the back of the neck.

Alternative Names

Buffalo hump; Dorsocervical fat pad

Considerations

A hump behind the shoulders by itself is not a sign of any one, specific condition. The doctor must consider this along with other symptoms and test results.

Common Causes

Certain drugs used to treat AIDS
Extended use of certain steroid medicines, including prednisone, cortisone, and hydrocortisone
Extreme obesity
Hypercortisolism (caused by Cushing syndrome)

Osteoporosis may cause a curvature of the spine in the neck called kyphoscoliosis.

Home Care

If the hump is caused by a certain medicine, your doctor may tell you to stop taking the drug or change your dosage. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Diet and exercise can help you to lose weight and may relieve some humps due to extreme obesity.

Call your health care provider if

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have an unexplained hump behind the shoulders.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Questions may include:

What medications do you take?
How old are you?
Have you been checked for osteoporosis?
What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Treatment will be aimed at the problem that caused the fat to develop in the first place.

References

Young WF. Clinical practice: The incidentally discovered adrenal mass. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:601-610.

Stewart PM. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 14.

Review Date:3/18/2008
Reviewed By:Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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