Malignant fibrous histiocytoma rarely affects the cranium. This report describes a case of primary osseous malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the temporal bone in a 58-year-old male patient. The tumor was thought to have originated in the inner table of the bone of the skull, with subsequent intracranial-extracranial extension. Lung metastasis developed and the patient died 6 months after the histopathological diagnosis. We discuss the case and review the relevant literature.