Traumatic embolism of the vertebral artery is a serious complicating symptom of cervical contusion. Transient symptoms occur due to tortuosity, spasm, and compression of the vertebral artery as a result of a change in the position of the cervical spine. Secondary thrombosis can also result from intense strain or tearing of the vertebral artery. Many traumatic injuries to the head and neck can lead to traumatic embolism of the vertebral artery, such as cervical contusion, cervical fracture and dislocation, and compression of the vertebral artery by dislocation of the cervical spine due to ligamentous rupture. Excessive tilt or rotation of the head and neck due to external forces can also damage the vertebral artery. The vertebral artery can also be damaged by rude movements during manipulation of cervical spine diseases. The symptoms of traumatic ischemia of the vertebral artery can be transient or progressive. Transient symptoms occur when the vertebral artery is tortuous, spasmodic, and compressed due to a change in the position of the cervical spine. Ischemic symptoms can disappear after the compression factors are removed. If the vertebral artery is strongly strained or torn, it can cause secondary thrombosis that can extend upward to the basilar artery. Ischemic symptoms may develop progressively within hours to days after compression. After the vertebral artery enters the skull, the main branches are the posterior inferior cerebellar artery and the anterior spinal artery, and then the bilateral vertebral arteries are synthesized into the basilar artery, so the main clinical manifestations are symptoms of ischemia in the brainstem, cerebellum and cervical spinal cord. Therefore, the clinical manifestations are mainly symptoms of brainstem, cerebellar and cervical spinal cord ischemia, namely posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome and brainstem lesions, which manifest as vertigo, ataxia, dysphagia, facial numbness, spreading nerve and tongue paralysis, etc. Basilar artery embolism may present with ocular motility disorders, facial paresis, hemiparesis, quadriplegia and coma. Anterior spinal artery embolism syndrome is mainly tetraplegia, with the upper extremities heavier than the lower extremities, accompanied by mild sensory impairment. The recovery process of tetraplegia is first for the lower limbs and then for the upper limbs, and the recovery of hand function is often slower.