In the setting of an acute stroke caused by arterial dissection, navigating a microcatheter and microguidewire past the dissected artery to gain access to the distal thromboembolic lesion may exacerbate the underlying pathology. We review a case report whereby successful recanalization of an acute carotid terminus occlusion due to intimal-media dissection in the cervical carotid artery emphasizing the importance of aggressive proximal guide catheter aspiration in conjunction with flow arrest from the carotid bulb proximal to the dissection. We discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach and underscore the importance of a pathology-based approach to acute stroke therapy.