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.
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.
References
Young WF. 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. Kronenberg: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 14.
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