The radiation dose to physicians' hands without and with use of needle holders was determined at 10 computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic needle biopsies. As measured with ionization chambers (tube voltage, 80 kVp; tube current, 30 mA), the mean absorbed dose rate without and with holders was 1.14 mGy/sec +/- 0.02 (standard deviation) and 0.019 mGy/sec +/- 0.001, respectively. The mean duration of CT fluoroscopy was 59 seconds in 10 biopsies performed with a holder and 82 seconds in 10 biopsies performed without a holder (difference not statistically significant). The needle holders did not cause any artifacts that interfered with the biopsy procedure.