MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hump behind the shoulders

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Hump behind the shoulders

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names

Buffalo hump

Definition Return to top

A lump of fat on the back of the neck (cervicodorsal).

Considerations Return to top

A buffalo hump by itself is not a sign of any one, specific condition. It must be considered in light of other symptoms and test results.

Common Causes Return to top

extended use of some steroids (glucocorticoids such as prednisone, cortisone, and hydrocortisone)
extreme obesity
hypercortisolism (caused by Cushing's syndrome)
some drugs used for AIDS (reason unclear)
osteoporosis may cause curvature of the spine in the neck (kyphoscoliosis)

Home Care Return to top

If a buffalo hump is due to medication, ask your health care provider about your drug. NEVER CHANGE MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

For extreme obesity, diet and exercise can help you to lose weight.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

there is an unexplained buffalo hump.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

The doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions may include:

What medications are you taking?
Are you overweight?
How old are you?
Have you been evaluated for osteoporosis?
What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

blood tests such as blood count and chemistries
CT or MRI scan of the head
CT scan of the abdomen and adrenal glands
endocrine studies such as blood/urinary cortisol and dexamethasone suppression
visual field testing
X-rays of the chest
bone mineral density

Update Date: 7/28/2003

Updated by: Stephanie Fish, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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