MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hump behind the shoulders

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Hump behind the shoulders

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Considerations Causes	Home Care When to Contact a Medical Professional What to Expect at Your Office Visit References

Alternative Names

Buffalo hump

Definition Return to top

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

Considerations Return to top

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 Return to top

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 Return to top

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.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

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

What to Expect at Your Office Visit Return to top

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:

References Return to top

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

Update Date: 4/26/2007

Updated by: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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