Hump behind the shoulders

• extended use of some steroids (glucocorticoids such as prednisone, cortisone, and hydrocortisone)
• extreme obesity
• hypercortisolism (caused by Cushing's syndrome )

Note: There may be other causes of a hump behind the shoulders. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for a hump behind the shoulders, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
If a buffalo hump is due to medication, ask your health care provider about discontinuing, changing, or reducing the medication dosage. NEVER CHANGE MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

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

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• there is an unexplained buffalo hump.

What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

• What medications are you taking?
• Are you overweight ?
• Are you female?
• How old are you?
• Have you been evaluated for osteoporosis ?
• What other symptoms are present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• arteriography
• blood tests (such as CBC , or blood differential )
• urine tests (such as urinalysis )
• bronchography
• CT scan of the skull
• CT scan of the abdomen and adrenal glands
• endocrine studies
• cortisol level
• dexamethasone suppression test
• ultrasonography
• visual field testing
• X-rays of the chest

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to a buffalo hump, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.


The Buffalo hump is an accumulation of fat on the back of the neck and upper back. This condition can occur with oversecretion of cortisone by the adrenal gland, a condition called Cushing syndrome.