Epidemics of fractures during periods of snow and ice.

Recovery was uneventful and during the subsequent five years the pericardial effusion did not reaccumulate.Blood films showed sc'anty if any acanthocytes but lipoprotein values remained consistent with hypobetalipoproteinaemia.Famtily study-The table gives the results of lipoprotein analysis in family members.Hypobetalipoproteinaemia is recorded when the -low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration is below-the age and sex related fifth percentile in our laboratory.The patient had acanthocytes in her preoperative blood films.Other family members did not.Each family member was found to be asympto- matic and normal on physical examination.Each had a normal chest x ray picture and echocardiogram.