Development of cervical fat pads following therapy with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease inhibitors

Eight patients with infection due to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 developed fat pads at the bases of their necks a median of 22 weeks (range, 4-61 weeks) after initiation of protease inhibitor therapy. This finding was seen in association with the use of each of the available protease inhibitors. The patients had no other cushingoid features or histories of corticosteroid use, and all had normal 24-hour urine cortisol levels. The computed tomography scans of five patients showed large, nonencapsulated accumulations of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Histological examination of tissue from one patient confirmed a nonlipomatous subcutaneous fat deposition. Although the pathogenesis of this unique clinical finding is unclear, the temporal relationship between the use of protease inhibitors and the development of cervical fat pads is suggestive of a complication of therapy.