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In some cases, lots of forceful coughing -- like from a bout of pneumonia -- can cause rib fractures. Most of the time, the broken rib is only broken in one place, and is an incomplete fracture, meaning not all the way through the bone. Completely broken ribs may or may not move out of place. If they do move, they're called displaced rib fractures and are more likely to puncture lungs or damage other tissues and organs. Ribs that stay in place -- usually ribs that are not completely broken in half -- are called nondisplaced rib fractures.
Pulmonary infiltration can lead to lung fibrosis (i.e., the hardening and thickening of tissue) that can cause permanent scarring. Fibrosis tends to develop in areas where the infiltration lasts a long time or where it is especially dense. Fibrosis causes the lungs to stiffen, making it difficult to breathe. Unfortunately, fibrosis is irreversible. If extensive, it can cause severe dysfunction and, at its worse, can lead to heart failure. Although often asymptomatic, granulomas in the lung can cause assorted respiratory problems, including: 1  A persistent, dry cough. 2  Chest pain. 3  Hemoptysis (spitting up of blood from the lungs).